A gunman killed six members of his family before taking his own life during a series of shootings on Monday, June 1, in the eastern Iowa city of Muscatine.
Investigation Details
A preliminary investigation into the gun violence indicated the shootings stemmed from a domestic-related dispute, the Muscatine Police Department said in a statement, although no mention was made of precisely what may have precipitated the bloodshed.
Four of the victims were found shot to death inside a residence by police officers responding to the first reports of gunfire shortly after noon local time.
Suspect Identified
Although the suspected killer had fled the scene before officers arrived, he was quickly identified as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine, and was located on the city's riverfront trail near a pedestrian bridge, Police Chief Anthony Kies said during a news briefing.
While officers were talking with him, he took his own life, police said.
Additional Victims Discovered
After information surfaced indicating there may have been additional victims, police found the bodies of two other men McFarland was believed to have shot - one in a nearby home and another at a business.
All the victims were believed to be family members of the gunman, Kies said. They were not publicly identified. An ABC television affiliate reported that at least two of the victims were children.
