Another tragic shooting in the United States has stunned the country, which has already seen an alarming uptick in mass shootings in recent weeks. Jonathan Lee Whitlatch, a jilted lover, killed his girlfriend and her companion in a parking lot outside an Iowa church before shooting himself in the most recent incident. Eden Mariah Montang, 22, and her friend Vivian Renee Flores, 21, have been confirmed as his victims. A third woman is said to have gotten away unscathed.
So, what exactly took place?
Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald stated that Jonathan Lee Whitlatch opened fire on and killed his victims in the parking lot outside of Cornerstone Church of Armes, located near Des Moines, before turning the pistol on himself.
“This is a regrettable event for our community, but I also think nationwide as we witness violent incidents nationwide, and it only seems to rise,” said the captain of the Sheriff’s office, Nicholas Lennie. “It only seems to increase.”
“This is a really unfortunate event for our community, but I also think nationwide as we witness violent incidents nationwide, and it only seems to rise,” said the captain of the Sheriff’s office, Nicholas Lennie. “It only seems to increase.”
When the authorities searched his house immediately after the shooting, they discovered ammo for the 9MM handgun that had been purchased just one hour before the shooting. Additionally, they found an AR-15 that was not related to the attack from Whitlatch’s house.
What is the identity of Jonathan Lee Whitlatch?
The shooter, a 33-year-old man from Iowa, has a history of criminal activity and was arrested just days before he slaughtered his victims outside of a church. Following the breakup of his relationship with Eden Mariah Montang, he was arrested on May 31 in Boone County, Iowa, on charges of impersonating a public official and third-degree harassment of Montang.
The website of the Daily Mail reports that Montag was successful in obtaining a restraining order against Whitlatch, who was scheduled to appear in court on June 10. Whitlatch was also being held in custody pending trial in a separate s#xual assault case involving another female victim. At a nightclub in Cedar Falls in October of the previous year, he allegedly put his hand twice down a woman’s pants and attempted to penetrate her. This is according to allegations from the local media.
A surveillance camera was able to record the occurrence in question. Since Whitlatch was drunk at the event, he claimed that he had no recall of what had happened. This month was supposed to be when the hearing on the case would begin.
Who is Eden Mariah Montang?
Both Montang and her buddy Flores attended Iowa State University and were members of the bible study group at Cornerstone Church in Ames at the same time. There were approximately eighty students enrolled in the bible study program held in the church.
Her posts on social media give the impression that she was in an abusive relationship with the person who ultimately killed her.
Her father, Terry Montang, who had previously been photographed with Whitlatch, spoke at her memorial and paid a heartfelt tribute to her.
Very sad