UPDATE (1:57 p.m.): PARKERSBURG - Tragedy struck Parkersburg again Wednesday after famed high school football coach Ed Thomas was gunned down by a former player and student in the school's weight room.

Thomas, 58, was supervising a group of around 20 students around 7:45 a.m., when Mark D. Becker, 24, of rural Parkersburg, came in and shot Thomas several times, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Several reports say Thomas was shot in the head. Thomas later died at Covenant Medical Center after being airlifted there.

Kevin Winker, assistant DCI director, said during a press conference Wednesday authorities didn't an any idea of what caused the shooting.

"I'm not going to speculate at this time as to what motive is," Winker said.

Winker said none of the other students were hurt at the time of the shooting. The school was locked down immediately after word of the shooting got out.

Becker was apprehended on Iowa Highway 14 in rural Parkersburg, near where his parents live. Becker claimed the same address several times in court documents.

Winker said Thomas was shot with a handgun, but did not say what type of caliber it was or who owned the weapon.

Wednesday's fatal shooting came only days after Becker allegedly led officers on a car chase through three counties.

A state courts database shows a criminal complaint alleging felony eluding was filed by Parkersburg police, but officials at the Butler County Clerk of Courts said the file wasn't available Wednesday.

City Clerk Gary Hinders said the news has shaken the community.

"We can't comprehend even what's happening yet," he said.

Thomas began his career at Aplington-Parkersburg in 1975. In his time, his influence extended far beyond the "sacred acre," as his football field is informally called. Thompson called him a mentor for the community.

"His legacy in Parkersburg is not going to be a football coach," Superintendent Jon Thompson said. "It's going to be a role model, a husband and just an outstanding man."

Thompson said crisis counselors have been brought into the school.

Crime scene tape surrounded a large part of land around the red shed that has been converted to the weight room while the new Aplington-Parkersburg school is being rebuilt after the 2008 tornado destroyed the old school.

A crowd was gathering near the school. People driving by could be seen crying.

Following last year's devastating F5 tornado, Thomas took a lead role in helping the community rebound, Thompson said. One of Thompson's fondest memories was standing on top of a hill after the twister hit, surveying the damage and looking to the future.

On the field, Thomas was a tour-de-force. 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. He was the NFL High School Coach of the Year in 2003.

Thomas began his coaching career at Northeast Hamilton in Blairsburg.

He has four former players active in the NFL - Brad Meester of Jacksonville; Jared DeVries; Casey Wiegmann of Denver; Aaron Kampman of Green Bay.

Meester, who is a starting center for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was reached by phone this morning.

"This is just a huge loss for the entire town and for everybody that's been through that program -- players, students, everybody. He was just a role model to everybody. He was almost like a father figure to everybody. So many people looked up to him --- (he taught) the value of hard work.

"Him being gone is gonna be a huge loss. I'm definitely praying for this family," Meester said.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said the incident was awful and called Thomas a "legend" and a role model for future generations of children in the area.

"He's someone that I really admire a great, great deal," Culver said. "He was instrumental in bringing Parkersburg back."

Rick Wulkow, executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, said Thomas will be "forever remembered not so much for his many wins on the field, but for the exemplary manner in which he coached kids and led the Aplington-Parkersburg community and school. This was especially true last spring and summer as they rebuilt from a devastating tornado."

Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads called it a devastating loss. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Thomas family and countless people who are better individuals because of their relationship with Ed Thomas."

Added UNI football coach Mark Farley: "You can't find a football coach he didn't have an impact on."

Funeral services are pending at Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg.

Assistance for this story came from staffers Jim Sullivan, Dennis Magee and Jeff Reinitz.

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