Sheriff: Man who fatally shot 2 in Iowa church parking lot arrested days before

• Fitzgerald said Whitlatch drove to Cornerstone Church and fatally shot Iowa State University students and friends Eden Montang, 22, and Vivian Renee Flores, 21, around 7pm Thursday.

The big picture: The shooting occurred minutes after President Joe Biden delivered a special primetime address about gun control, prompted by multiple mass shootings in recent weeks.

• Biden called on Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban Thursday night.

Between the lines: Fitzgerald said Whitlatch was arrested on Tuesday for allegations of harassment and impersonating an officer. He posted bond and was scheduled to have an initial court appearance June 10.

• Whitlatch and Montang had recently broken up and Montang had a restraining order in place against him, the sheriff said.
• Investigators believe Whitlatch drove to the church during a youth ministry event intending to shoot Montang.
• Police found a receipt for ammunition for a 9mm gun — the type used Thursday — in Whitlatch's truck during a search after the shooting, the sheriff said. They also searched Whitlatch's home and found an AR-15 rifle, which wasn't connected to the shooting.
• Fitzgerald said it wasn't immediately known whether Whitlatch had legally obtained the weapons.

Of note: Whitlatch was also arrested in November on a charge of assault with the intent to commit sexual abuse, according to court records. His pretrial hearing was set for July 7.

What they're saying: It was a "tragic event that we honestly felt we'd never see in our county," Fitzgerald said of Thursday's shooting.

• Cornerstone Church issued a statement Thursday night, saying its congregation is "more than saddened by the events" and cooperating with law enforcement.

What's next: An investigation is ongoing.

• No other perpetrators were believed to be involved in Thursday's shooting, Fitzgerald said.