In Muscatine, Iowa, six people were found dead Monday afternoon before police said the suspected gunman, Ryan Willis McFarland, fatally shot himself while talking to officers. The Muscatine Community School District confirmed two victims were district employee
Muscatine police found four people dead with gunshot wounds after being called to a home at 210 Park Ave. around noon Monday. By the end of the day. Chief Anthony Kies said the suspected gunman was a 52-year-old man from Muscatine who fled and was later located on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge.
Kies later said Ryan Willis McFarland fatally shot himself while talking to police.
The toll expanded as the investigation continued. During the initial investigation, officers learned there may be more victims. Police said a man was found dead from gunshot wounds inside the home in the 1500 block of Mill Street, and another man was found dead in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.
Kies said the preliminary investigation indicates this was a domestic incident. and the people killed are believed to be family of McFarland. The Muscatine Police Department is being assisted by the Muscatine Fire Department. the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office. the Iowa State Patrol. and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with detectives continuing to process the crime scenes and conduct witness interviews.
Monday evening. the Muscatine Community School District confirmed that two of the victims were district employees and two were current students. The district said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family. ” adding that counselors and support resources will be available starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Muscatine High School, Susan Clark Junior High, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary, and Franklin Elementary.
The case also left neighbors asking how quickly the day unraveled and what comes next for the people forced to live around active crime scenes. Officers were still working the scene(s) as law enforcement asked the public to avoid the area of the riverfront near Park Avenue because of the investigation.
Chief Kies said police called for help at 210 Park Ave. at about noon and initially found four people dead with gunshot wounds. Later, officials located McFarland after he fled the scene. He was found on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge. Police said he died by suicide while speaking with officers.
If anyone has information related to the incident, they were encouraged to contact Lt. David O’Connor of the Muscatine Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 563-263-9922, extension 608. Callers may remain anonymous.
Muscatine Iowa police Ryan Willis McFarland Muscatine Community School District Park Ave Riverfront Trail domestic incident counseling resources Major Crimes Unit