MUSCATINE, Iowa — A school district leader in Iowa has confirmed that two students and two staff members were among the six people killed in a deadly family shooting that occurred Monday, with authorities saying a family member carried out the attack.
The gunman, identified as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland from Muscatine, ended his own life when law enforcement officers confronted him later that same day, officials reported.
Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Clint Christopher chose not to reveal the identities, ages, or grade levels of the two students who were killed.
Christopher informed the school community that along with the two students, two district staff members also lost their lives in the tragedy.
“Our hearts are broken for the family members, friends, colleagues, classmates, and all those affected by this unimaginable loss,” Christopher said.
The school district made counseling services available to students on Tuesday.
During a short press briefing, Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies announced he would provide additional victim information, including their ages, at a Tuesday evening vigil. He did not reveal what motivated the shootings or describe how the events occurred.
“We just need the community to understand that the most powerful piece for us to move forward is to continue to love each other through this,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
Law enforcement discovered four victims at a residence in Muscatine. The community has approximately 24,000 residents and sits roughly 50 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids.
Police later located McFarland on a city trail, where he took his own life while officers were speaking with him, according to Kies.
Two additional men, also believed to be McFarland’s relatives, were subsequently found shot to death at separate locations within the city. One victim was discovered at his residence, while the other was found deceased inside a local business.
Authorities have verified that McFarland had previous criminal charges, though they have not provided specific information about his record.
According to James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University who oversees a mass killing database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today with Northeastern, the Iowa incident marks the sixth family mass killing this year. A seventh occurred near Buffalo, NY, also on Monday. Mass killings are classified as events where four or more people die within 24 hours, excluding the perpetrator. Thirteen mass killings have occurred nationwide so far this year.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
