Iowa Family Tragedy Survivor Shares
A tragic family shooting in Muscatine, Iowa, left six relatives dead and one surviving
sibling grieving an unimaginable loss. Police said the violence began around midday and
involved multiple locations across the city. Four victims were found at one home,
while two others were discovered at a second residence and a nearby business.
Authorities identified the suspected gunman as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland.
Police later located him near the Mississippi River, where he died from a self-inflicted gunshot
wound after officers confronted him. Officials said there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The victims included Lesa McFarland and her children Dakota Whitlow, Austin Harris,
Ryle McFarland, Mark McFarland, and Ryan McFarland Jr. Family, friends,
and community members remembered them for their kindness, dedication, and promising futures.
A neighbor reported hearing the suspect say, “Don’t worry about money.
Everything goes away when you die” shortly before the killings.
At a vigil, surviving sibling Johnathan McFarland said, “It’s hard to even think that this is even real.
I’m still in denial,” and added, “I will forever love and miss my mom,
Lesa, my sister, Riley, my four brothers, Dakota, Austin, Mark, and Ryan.”
