MUSCATINE, Iowa (KWQC) – The Muscatine Chief of Police said six people were found dead Monday afternoon and that the suspected gunman fatally shot himself.
The Muscatine Community School District confirmed Monday evening that two of the victims were district 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. District officials said 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.
UPDATE: One of the victims was confirmed to be a resident of rural Wapello, according to a Facebook post.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office asked them to conduct a welfare check on one of the six victims around 1 p.m.
Deputies learned the victim wasn’t in the county, and was at their business in Muscatine.
The victim was later found dead at a business in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.
UPDATE: A vigil for the victims will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Muscatine High School Stadium. Enter from Cedar Street and Houser only.
In a news conference Monday evening, Chief Anthony Kies said police were called to a home at 210 Park Ave. at about noon, where they found four people dead with gunshot wounds.
Kies identified the suspect as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland of Muscatine, who fled the scene and was later located on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge.
In a news conference, Kies said McFarland fatally shot himself while talking to police.
During the initial investigation, officers learned there may be more victims. Officers found a man dead from gunshot wounds inside the home in the 1500 block of Mill Street and another man 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. Detectives continue to process the crime scenes and conduct witness interviews.
Anyone with information related to this incident is 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.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
There are multiple active crime scenes, a KWQC crew said.
Law enforcement is asking the public to avoid the area of the riverfront near Park Avenue because of an investigation.
Muscatine County Emergency Management/911 made the request on Facebook.
Around 3:10 p.m. a KWQC crew could see police in the 300 block of Park Avenue.
A KWQC crew said a scene in the 800 block of Grand View Avenue appeared empty around 4:20 p.m.
correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect first and middle name for the suspected gunman, Ryan Willis McFarland.
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