Police are investigating a series of shootings in Muscatine that killed seven people, including a suspect, stemming from a domestic dispute.
Officers of the Muscatine Police Department were dispatched to a residence at 210 Park Ave. just after noon on Monday, June 1, on the report of a shooting, according to a news release from police. Upon arrival, officers found four people, all with gunshot wounds. All were pronounced dead at the scene.
“I simply do not have the words for this act of evil and what it has done to our community,” Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said during a news conference Monday.
The suspect, identified by police as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine, left the residence before officers arrived at the scene, but was later found on the Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the release said.
“While talking to Ryan Willis McFarland, he took his own life,” Kies said during the conference.
Despite medical aid at the scene, McFarland was pronounced dead.
Further investigation led police to find two additional victims, including a man in a residence at 1509 Mill St. and another man in a business at 808 Grand Ave. Both died of apparent gunshot wounds, according to the release.
Preliminary investigation indicates the shootings stemmed from a “domestic-related dispute,” and all victims are believed to be family members of McFarland. McFarland has a criminal record, Kies confirmed during the news conference.
Court filings show child endangerment and neglect charges, multiple counts of second-degree fraud, and several cases in small claims court.
“Please understand that during these trying times, our community is mourning the family and the friends of the McFarland family, the Whitlow family, and the Harris family,” Kies said during the news conference.
Police have not released the names of the victims, but two victims were identified as Muscatine Community School District employees and two as current students in a Facebook post by Superintendent Clint Christopher.
“Our hearts are broken for the family members, friends, colleagues, classmates, and all those affected by this unimaginable loss,” Christopher said in the post. “We ask that you keep everyone impacted in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
Muscatine police continue to investigate the shootings with assistance from the Muscatine Fire Department, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Anyone with information related to the shootings is asked to call Lt. David O’Connor with the Muscatine Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (563) 263‑9922, extension 608.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Muscatine rocked by family shooting that killed 6 relatives, police say
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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