In brief
Iowa police are investigating a tragic Friday night shooting in which Ryan Willis McFarland is believed to have killed six relatives, including two students, before turning the gun on himself. The victims include students and school employees. Authorities have not disclosed details of motives or the identity of all victims. The incident is part of a disturbing trend of family mass killings nationwide.
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Police are investigating a fatal shooting in which a 52‑year‑old resident, Ryan Willis McFarland, is suspected of killing six relatives, including two students, before taking his own life.
Authorities say McFarland killed himself after police confronted him at a trail within the city.
Superintendent Clint Christopher did not reveal the students’ names, ages or class years, stating that two other victims were school district employees.
Our hearts are broken for the families, friends, and entire community, Christopher said in a message to the district.
Counselors were made available to students the following day.
Police chief Anthony Kies expressed plans to disclose more details about the victims, including ages, during a vigil later that evening, but did not discuss motives or how the shootings unfolded.
These killings are part of a disturbing trend, being the sixth family mass killing of the year, as recorded by the Associated Press and the database maintained by Northeastern University criminologist James Alan Fox.
Mass killings, defined as four or more victims in 24 hours, have totaled 13 nationwide this year.
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