A gunman in Muscatine, Iowa, is suspected of killing six family members before dying by suicide on Monday (June 1), according to local authorities. Police identified the suspect as Ryan Willis McFarland, age 52, who was a resident of Muscatine. Officers first responded to a home on Park Avenue around noon, where they found four people dead of gunshot wounds, Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said during a news conference.
After leaving the scene, police located McFarland on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge. Kies stated that while officers spoke to McFarland, he fatally shot himself. The investigation led officers to discover two additional victims at separate locations: one man was found dead in his Mill Street home, and another was discovered in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue. Kies confirmed that both were believed to be relatives of McFarland.
Preliminary findings indicate that this was a domestic incident, and all six victims are thought to be McFarland’s family members. The Muscatine Community School District revealed that two victims were employees and two were current students. The district stated, “It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family.”
Police Chief Kies said, “Today I simply do not have the words. This act of evil and what it has done to our community.” He noted that McFarland had a criminal record but did not provide details.
The Muscatine Police Department is being assisted by the Muscatine Fire Department, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation is active as authorities process multiple crime scenes and conduct interviews. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department’s major crimes unit.
Full details about the victims have not yet been released. Updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
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