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Ed Thomas Shot: Mark Becker Kills Aplington-Parkersburg Coach

by Tina Kells | June 24, 2009 at 07:45 am

11967 views | 27 Recommendations | 9 comments

Ed Thomas, 58, a popular football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Iowa was shot while training in the school weight room early morning of June 24, 2009. No students were hurt in the incident but 50 students watched as the popular coach was killed by multiple gunshots.

Coach Ed Thomas was shot several times at close range by a man identified as Mark Becker, 24. The fatal shot struck Thomas in the head but he was still alive when medical aid arrived at the scene. Ed Thomas was rushed to the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo where he later died from his injuries.

Shock and disbelief reverberated around the state today with the stunning news that one of Iowa’s best known high school football coaches was shot and killed this morning in the weight room of the high school.

Coach Ed Thomas was rushed to a hospital after being shot. Covenant Medical Center officials confirmed about 10:30 a.m. that Thomas, 58, died shortly after arrival in the emergency room.

Several reports say Thomas was shot in the head.

Police have identified Ed Thomas' killer as a "young adult male" named Mark Becker. It is unclear if Becker is a student or former student of Aplington-Parkersburg High School or if he has a prior relationship with Ed Thomas but he did play high school football.

24-year-old Mark Becker, a former football player, was arrested a short time later, according to Kevin Winker, the Assistant Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation.

Butler County spokesperson Holly Fokkena stated that she "was not aware" that the Mark Becker was connected to Aplington-Parkersburg High School. Becker is in police custody and was arrested shortly after the shooting without incident; he has been charged with first-degree murder.

The community is in shock and Aplington-Parkersburg High School has been closed for the day. Ed Thomas was a popular coach who had taught at Aplington-Parkersburg High School for 34 years and led the team to an impressive 156-31 record. His career in high school football coaching spanned 37 years.

In 2005 Ed Thomas was named NFL High School Coach of the Year. Four of Ed Thomas' former students are NFL players: Brad Meester of Jacksonville; Jared DeVries; Casey Wiegmann of Denver; Aaron Kampman of Green Bay.

Thomas just finished his 37th season of coaching. He has a career record of 292-84, including 156-31 as Aplington-Parkersburg’s head coach. He has won two state titles - 1993 and 2001.

Altogether Thomas has led A-P to 19 state playoff appearances. Thomas’ win total ranks ninth all-time amongst Iowa high school football coaches.

The family of Ed Thomas released a statement announcing his death shortly after 10:30am local time. It said nothing of his many accomplishments and only stated the fact that he had died as a result of his injuries.

The family of Ed Thomas released a statement through Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo:

"The family of Ed Thomas would like the media to know that Ed passed away shortly after arriving at Covenant Medical Center," the statement read.

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Drew Bulman

at 09:28 on June 24th, 2009

This is pretty surreal. I don't know if you remember, Tina, but this is the same town I tweeted about earlier this month. The one that was wrecked by a tornado just over a year ago.

Marcelo Ionesco (not verified)

at 12:23 on June 24th, 2009

Yep, I live like an hour away. That's sad.

Tina Kells

at 11:18 on June 24th, 2009

I did see that Drew, the school itself was actually hit during that tornado strike, right?

politisite

at 17:59 on June 24th, 2009

What an awful thing... whatever happened to fist fights?

Kathy Aplington (not verified)

at 18:20 on June 24th, 2009

My condolences to the Thomas family as well as the troubled youth who shot the Coach.

My great-great grandfather, Zenus Aplington, founded the town of Aplington, Iowa.

Kathy Aplington

Catherine "Farmer" White (not verified)

at 19:39 on June 24th, 2009

Hi Drew,

I was reading this article, looked at the comments and spied your name. Who would have thought I would come across someone that I know on a random website?

It is such a tragedy to hear about the AP coach. It is sickening... Ed Thomas was an amazing man.

lorenzcc (not verified)

at 04:16 on June 27th, 2009

Coach Thomas was a geat man. He met so much to the community of AP. To have one of his former students/players kill him is sad, it pisses me off to no that a person like Mr Becker can go and get a gun and use it on some one who took time out for him. Moments like this is when I wish the state of Iowa would have the death penelty. Coach Thomas will always be remembered as a hero. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ed Thomas and the community of AP. God Bless.

Rica Coops (not verified)

at 05:59 on June 30th, 2009

I thought the town was named after Fort Aplington which was a US army outpost?

BRYAN COTTRELL (not verified)

at 15:21 on August 25th, 2009

Mark Becker--stole a legend-pleads insanity-what has the world come to--mark becker's atty. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU---MONEY IS THE ANSWER-INSANE NO EXCUSE YES MARK BECKER's lawyer CARMA will bite you for representing him THINK Mark Becker's lawyer what if that was your son/father. Do not represent the rapist of your communities COACH/ FATHER . MARK BECKER should BURN IN HELL forgiveness is for mistakes not mortal sins. Represent him and I wILL PRAY EVERYDAY YOU BURN BESIDE HIM.