KSL.com reported that the LDS Church confirmed Kenneth James Ward was a member.
Source: yesterday's Deseret News -- url: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700061480/Neighboring-minister-alleged-shooters-family-react-to-bishops-killing.html
Note that the article did not say he was an ex- member -- but was a member.
Now, if it's just coming out that he resigned his membership, that doesn't necessarily mean he was dumped from the Mormon church rolls. You know & I know that often takes a lengthy process; and sometimes the Mormon church isn't the one "pushing" people off the rolls...depends on person -- immoral lifestyle or critic of Mormon church or leadership, for example -- and who's administrating it all.
You even linked to ksl.com. Not sure how you came up with came up with your interpretation. KLS was pretty clear about it in their reporting.
“LDS Church confirms Calif. shooter was former member”
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=12213011
It's only 2 lines down...
“Monday afternoon, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed that 47-year-old Kenneth Ward was a member of the Church but resigned his membership in 2004.”