By Hola Iowa
The school district said two of the people killed were current students and two were employees. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Major Crimes Unit.
The Muscatine Community School District opened counseling and support resources Tuesday after six members of one family were found dead Monday in a series of homicides under investigation by the Muscatine Police Department.
The district said two of the people killed were current students and two were district employees. Support resources were scheduled to be available starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Muscatine High School, Susan Clark Junior High, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary and Franklin Elementary.
Support is available at five Muscatine schools
The Muscatine Community School District said the incident involved the McFarland family and shared the update with families Monday evening.
Counselors and support staff were made available at Muscatine High School, Susan Clark Junior High, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary and Franklin Elementary. The district listed those sites for students, staff and community members affected by the deaths.
The district did not release the names of the students or employees in its initial statement. Authorities had not publicly released the names of the six victims as of the latest police update included in the city’s announcement.
Police are investigating deaths at three Muscatine locations
The City of Muscatine said the Muscatine Police Department is investigating a series of homicides that happened Monday, June 1, at multiple locations in the city.
According to the city, MUSCOM received a report of a shooting at 210 Park Avenue at approximately 12:12 p.m. Police officers and emergency medical personnel were sent to the home, where officers found four people with gunshot wounds. All four were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified the suspect as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine. The city said he had left the Park Avenue home before officers arrived.
Law enforcement later located McFarland on the Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge. According to the city, he was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers and EMS personnel provided medical aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
As the investigation continued, detectives developed information that there could be additional victims. Officers later found an adult man dead from an apparent gunshot wound inside a home at 1509 Mill Street. A further search led officers to a business at 808 Grandview Avenue, where another adult man was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
Preliminary findings point to a domestic-related dispute
The City of Muscatine said preliminary findings indicate the shootings stemmed from a domestic-related dispute. Police said all six victims are believed to be family members of the deceased suspect.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives are continuing to process multiple crime scenes and conduct interviews.
The Muscatine Police Department is receiving assistance from the Muscatine Fire Department, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Police have not released additional details about the circumstances that led to the shootings. The city’s announcement did not identify the victims by name.
Local and statewide support resources are available
People affected by grief, violence, trauma or an emotional crisis can contact statewide and local support services.
Your Life Iowa offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day. People can call 855-581-8111 or text 855-895-8398 for help with mental health, suicidal thoughts, substance use, gambling or other concerns.
The Iowa Victim Service Call Center is available at 1-800-770-1650. The center supports Iowans affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, elder abuse, human trafficking, homicide and other violent crimes. Family members and friends can also seek guidance.
Family Resources provides free, confidential services for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, human trafficking, homicide and other violent crime. Its Muscatine office is located at 801 Oregon Street, Unit 4. The Iowa 24-hour crisis line for Family Resources is 866-921-3354.
For mental health crisis support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call, text or chat 24 hours a day. SAMHSA states that 988 offers support for mental health, substance use and related crises, with access for Spanish speakers.
Police ask the public to share information
Anyone with information related to the Muscatine homicide investigation is asked to contact Lt. David O’Connor with the Muscatine Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 563-263-9922, extension 608.
The city said callers may remain anonymous.
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