Gunman killed 6 family members before dying by suicide, police say

MUSCATINE, Iowa (KWQC/Gray News) – Six people were found dead at numerous crime scenes Monday afternoon and the suspected gunman fatally shot himself, police in Iowa said.

Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said during a press conference that officers were first called to a Park Avenue home at about noon on Monday and found four people dead of gunshot wounds.

Law enforcement is asking the public to avoid the area of the riverfront near Park Avenue…
Law enforcement is asking the public to avoid the area of the riverfront near Park Avenue because of an investigation.(KWQC)
Kies identified the suspect as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine. He fled the scene and was later located on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge.

McFarland fatally shot himself while talking to police, according to Kies.

Officers learned during the initial investigation that there may be more victims. Police found a man dead of gunshot wounds inside a home on Mill Street, and another victim was found in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.

Kies said the preliminary investigation indicates this was a domestic incident and all six people killed are believed to be McFarland’s family members.

The Muscatine Community School District confirmed that two of the victims were employees and two were current students.

“It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family,” the district said in a statement.

The Muscatine Fire Department, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are helping the Muscatine Police Department.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at 563-263-9922.