Muscatine, United States. Six members of one family were killed in a series of shootings on Monday in Muscatine, Iowa, and the suspected gunman later took his own life, police said.
Police say shootings stemmed from dispute
The Muscatine Police Department said a preliminary investigation indicated the gun violence “stemmed from a domestic-related dispute,” but did not say what triggered the shootings.
Four of the victims were found shot to death inside a residence after officers responded to reports of gunfire shortly after noon local time.
Suspect identified on riverfront trail
Police said the suspect had left the scene before officers arrived, but was quickly identified as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine. He was found on the city’s riverfront trail near a pedestrian bridge.
Police Chief Anthony Kies said that while officers were speaking with McFarland, he took his own life.
Two additional victims found
After police received information suggesting there may have been more victims, officers found the bodies of two other men McFarland was believed to have shot, one in a nearby home and another at a business.
Police said all of the victims were believed to be family members of the gunman and were not publicly identified. An ABC television affiliate reported that at least two of the victims were children.
Kies said McFarland had a previous criminal record, but declined to provide further details.
Muscatine has a population of about 24,000 and is the county seat of Muscatine County. The city is about 155 miles east of Iowa’s state capital, Des Moines.
