University Student's Death Ruled a Homicide

AC 360- Police in Iowa have ruled the death of a college student found leaning over the side of a bridge as a homicide.

Benjamin Backstrom, who was a sophomore at Drake University, was “the victim of an off-campus crime,” said school President David Maxwell in a statement. “I want to express sincere condolences to the family and friends who shared in Ben’s life.”

According to investigators, a 911 call with a report that a man was learning over a bridge on Highway 65 outside of Indianola, Iowa, was reported early Tuesday morning.

Police officers who arrived at the scene transported Backstrom to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Courtney Greene, public information bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Public Safety told CNN the 19-year-old died of injuries but would not disclose their exact nature. “There’s lots of boots on the ground really trying to piece together what happened,” she said. “At this point we just want anyone with information to come forward.”

Greene added that nothing has been ruled out in the search for answers. “Investigators are still following every lead that comes in,” she said.

The violent, mysterious death of the student has shaken the campus. “Incomprehensibly tragic events such as this test the very fabric of the Drake University family,” school President Maxwell said. “It is a time when we as a community must come together to console and support one another, to do what we can to ease the pain for Ben's family and friends, and to find a way forward that honors Ben's memory and the place that he holds in the heart of the University.”

Candlelight vigils have been held for Backstrom and a memorial service is scheduled for this Saturday.

Anyone with information that could be helpful to the investigation is asked to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 515-961-1122.

Football Coach Fatally Shot at Iowa High School

(CNN) -- An Iowa high school football coach died Wednesday after he was shot inside the school as athletes were lifting weights, the district superintendent told CNN.

Ed Thomas died shortly after he arrived at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa, according to a hospital statement.

He was flown to a hospital after he was shot about 8:30 a.m.at Aplington-Parkersburg High School, said Holly Fokkena, Butler County auditor.

No students were injured, although about 50 students were present at the time of the shooting, she said.

One person, an adult, was taken into custody, Fokkena said.

Superintendent Jon Thompson of the Aplington-Parkersburg Community Schools said crisis counselors were on scene to assist students who witnessed the shooting.

Thompson declined to provide more details on the shooting, saying they were not clear.

Thomas had been with the school district for more than 30 years, Thompson said, and was a well-known football coach in the region.

Pastor Raped a Young Girl, Tried to Rape a Woman...

COUNCIL Bluffs, Iowa. -- A pastor in Council Bluffs has been accused of sexually assaulting at least two women and one girl during the past six years.

An affidavit out of Pottawattamie County details allegations against Efrain Umana.

Umana was arrested in Lincoln and paid bond Thursday to be released from Pottawattamie County Jail, said Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilbur

According to the affidavit, Umana took a young girl to his church in 2003. He told the girl he was looking for keys. Once at the church, Umana took the girl to the church's sound room, locked the door and took his pants off, according to the affidavit. He then told the girl, age 10 or 11 at the time, to do the same. The girl refused and Umana took off her pants and had sex with her, according to the affidavit.

In 2007, Umana had sex with a woman at her home while the woman's husband was at work, according to the affidavit.

In 2008, Umana called a woman into the church's pantry to help him with food items, according to the affidavit. Once inside, Umana did not turn on the lights and forced himself on the woman, who then pushed the minister off her and turned on the lights, according to the affidavit.

Other allegations against Umana include forced touching and kissing while inside the church.

Umana has been booked on several charges.

A church member told KETV the pastor left the church abruptly and went to Lincoln where Umana joined another church.