Editor’s note: This article discusses suicide and domestic violence. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or visit www.thehotline.org.
Four of the six victims killed this week in a shooting spree across a small city in eastern Iowa in an apparent domestic dispute were students and employees at a local school district, authorities said.
The Muscatine Police Department previously said it was “actively investigating a series of homicides” at multiple locations within the city. Muscatine, Iowa, has a population of more than 23,000 people and lies along the Mississippi River.
Investigators believe that the suspect, who was identified as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland, fatally shot six members of his family in a “domestic-related dispute,” according to police. Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said at a brief news conference that the suspect killed himself when he was later confronted by officers.
During an evening vigil on June 2, the victims were identified by Kies as Lesa McFarland, 51; Dakota Whitlow, 32; Austin Harris, 29; Ryle McFarland, 20; Mark McFarland, 16; and Ryan McFarland Jr., 13. Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Clint Christopher previously said two students and two school district employees were among the victims in the shootings.
“It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family,” Christopher said in a message to the school community. “As a result of this incident, two Muscatine Community School District employees and two current students lost their lives.”
In a news release on June 1, police said the Muscatine County Joint Communications Center received a report of a shooting at around 12:12 p.m. local time at a residence near the Mississippi River. Officers responded and found four people with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
After the report of the shooting, the Muscatine County 911 Center and Muscatine County Emergency Management asked the public at about 12:46 p.m. local time to avoid “the area of the riverfront and the river end side” of Park Avenue because of an active investigation.
The suspect had left the residence before officers arrived at the scene, according to police. Officers then found him on the Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge.
“While talking to Ryan Willis McFarland, he took his own life,” Kies said at the news conference on June 1. “Officers and EMS personnel rendered aid, however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Further investigation revealed there may have been more victims linked to the case, police said. Officers later found two men dead from apparent gunshot wounds. One man was inside another residence about 2 miles from the first residence, and another man was discovered at a business near the second residence.
In a separate statement, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said it was contacted by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a welfare check on one of the six victims in the case. The agency said it learned that the victim was not in Louisa County at the time of the incident, but was at their business in Muscatine.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the victim was found dead at the business and identified the victim as a resident of rural Wapello, a small city about 24 miles south of Muscatine.
Preliminary investigation indicates the shootings stemmed from a “domestic-related dispute,” and all victims are believed to be McFarland’s family members, according to police. Kies previously said the suspect had a criminal record but declined to provide additional details.
The Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that court filings show McFarland had child endangerment and neglect charges, multiple counts of second-degree fraud, and several cases in small claims court.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the Muscatine Police Department has asked anyone with information on the shootings to contact the department’s Major Crimes Unit. The Muscatine Fire Department, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are assisting local police in the investigation.
During the evening vigil on June 2, community members gathered at the Muscatine High School stadium to honor the victims. Local authorities, officials and family members of the victims were also in attendance.
“We gather with heavy hearts as we mourn the incomprehensible loss of members of the McFarland, Whitlow, and Harris families,” Christopher said at the vigil. “In moments like these, words often feel inadequate. There is no explanation that eases the pain, no statement that can fully capture the grief so many in our community are experiencing. Tonight, we come together not for answers, but for each other.”
The superintendent noted that the McFarland family “touched countless lives throughout our schools and our community.” He described them as friends, classmates, colleagues and neighbors within the community.
“Their absence will be felt in our classrooms, our hallways, our cafeterias and our homes for a very long time,” Christopher added. “In education, we talk about schools as families. Tonight, that idea feels especially real. When one member of our school family is hurt, we all hurt. When we lose members of our school family, we grieve together.”
The superintendent previously said counselors and additional support resources will be available for students and staff at Muscatine High, Susan Clark Junior High, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary and Franklin Elementary schools.
Contributing: Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register
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