MUSCATINE, Iowa (KCRG) – Muscatine police released the identities of six family members killed in a string of shootings Monday during a vigil held on Tuesday night.
Police Chief Anthony Kies spoke at the vigil and took a moment to remember each of the six victims:
51-year-old Lesa McFarland32-year-old Dakota Whitlow29-year-old Austin Harris20-year-old Ryle McFarland16-year-old Mark McFarland13-year-old Ryan McFarland Jr.
The Muscatine Community School District said two of the victims were students and two were staff members.
A vigil will be held for the Muscatine community at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the high school stadium.(City of Muscatine)
Police were initially called to a home in the 200 block of Park Avenue. Four people were found dead of gunshot wounds. Two other victims were found later, one at a home on Mill Street and another inside a business on Grandview Avenue.
The suspect, 52-year-old Ryan McFarland, was found by officers on the riverfront trail near the pedestrian bridge. When confronted, McFarland shot himself and died.
Muscatine police say the incident likely stemmed from a domestic dispute. All victims are believed to be McFarland’s family members.
Counselors were made available to students and staff in response to the shootings.
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