Police Identify Ryan Willis McFarland in 6 Muscatine Iowa Shooting Deaths
Police said six people were found dead Monday afternoon in the muscatine iowa shooting, and the suspected gunman later fatally shot himself while talking to officers. Anthony Kies, the Muscatine chief of police, said officers were first called to 210 Park Ave. at about noon. The deaths stretched across several locations in the city and triggered a school response the next day.
210 Park Ave. Response
Kies said police found four people dead with gunshot wounds inside the home at 210 Park Ave. Officers later found a man dead from gunshot wounds inside a home in the 1500 block of Mill Street and another man dead in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue. Police identified the suspect as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland of Muscatine.
McFarland fled the scene and was later located on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge. Kies said he fatally shot himself while talking to police. The preliminary investigation indicates the shooting was a domestic incident, and the people killed are believed to be family of McFarland.
Grandview Avenue Welfare Check
The Muscatine County Sheriff's Office asked the Louisa County Sheriff's Office around 1 p.m. to conduct a welfare check on one of the six victims. Deputies learned the victim was at their business in Muscatine and not in Louisa County. The victim was later found dead at a business in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.
Law enforcement asked the public to avoid the area of the riverfront near Park Avenue because of the investigation. The Muscatine Police Department said it was being assisted by the Muscatine Fire Department, the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Muscatine Schools Support
The Muscatine Community School District said two of the victims were district employees and two were current students. In a statement, the district said, "It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family".
Counselors and support resources were scheduled to be available starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Muscatine High School, Susan Clark Junior High, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary and Franklin Elementary. A vigil for the victims was scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Muscatine High School Stadium.
