MUSCATINE, IOWA — Johnathan McFarland spoke at a community vigil in Muscatine, Iowa, on Tuesday to honor seven family members killed in a mass shooting the previous day. The victims included his four brothers, his sister, and his mother, all fatally shot on Monday, June 1.
Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of Park Avenue in Muscatine at approximately 12:20 p.m. on June 1, according to police. Officers found four victims fatally shot at the scene, and two more were located at other sites. A seventh victim was also confirmed among the deceased.
The victims were identified as 51-year-old Lesa McFarland, 32-year-old Dakota Whitlow, 29-year-old Austin Harris, 20-year-old Ryle McFarland, 16-year-old Mark McFarland, and 13-year-old Ryan McFarland Jr. Their names were read aloud during the Tuesday night vigil.
Police identified 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland, Johnathan McFarland’s father, as the suspect in the shootings. According to police, he died by suicide after being confronted by officers.
“It's hard to even think that this is even real. I'm still in denial,” Johnathan McFarland said at the vigil. “I will forever and always love and miss them dearly, and this will not be the last time that I ever speak to them or do anything in their honor.”