Crime
Muscatine Murder-Suicide Leaves Six Dead, Lesa McFarland, Ryle McFarland, Ryan McFarland and Dakota Whitlow Among Victims Identified
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Authorities continue to investigate a devastating murder-suicide that left six people dead across multiple locations in Muscatine on Monday, June 1, 2026, in what investigators believe stemmed from a domestic dispute involving members of the same family.
According to the Muscatine Police Department, the tragic sequence of events began at approximately 12:12 p.m. when MUSCOM received a report of a shooting at a residence in the 210 block of Park Avenue.
Police officers and emergency medical personnel responded immediately to the home, where they discovered four individuals suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later identified the suspected gunman as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine. Authorities say McFarland had fled the residence before officers arrived.
Among the victims identified by family members and community sources are:
- Lesa McFarland, believed to be the suspect’s ex-wife
- Ryle McFarland
- Dakota Whitlow
- Ryan McFarland
- Mark McFarland
- Austin Harris
Following the initial shooting report, law enforcement agencies launched an immediate search for McFarland.
Officers located him a short time later on the Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge. Authorities said McFarland was suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police officers and EMS personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but McFarland was pronounced dead at the scene.
As detectives continued investigating the Park Avenue shooting scene, information emerged indicating there could be additional victims connected to the incident.
Officers subsequently responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Mill Street, where they discovered an adult male deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Investigators then traveled to a business located at 808 Grandview Avenue, where another adult male was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
The discovery of those victims increased the total death toll to six people, including the suspect.
Preliminary findings indicate the shootings were the result of a domestic-related incident involving members of the McFarland family.
Authorities have stated that all of the victims are believed to be relatives or family members connected to the suspect.
Detectives continue working to establish a complete timeline of events and determine what circumstances led to the deadly shootings.
The tragedy has had a profound impact on the local school community.
In a statement released following the incident, the Muscatine Community School District confirmed that two district employees and two current students were among those killed.
School officials described the loss as heartbreaking and announced that counseling services and crisis support resources would be available for students and staff at several district schools, including:
- Muscatine High School
- Susan Clark Junior High School
- Madison Elementary School
- McKinley Elementary School
- Franklin Elementary School
District leaders urged students, staff, and families to seek support as they process the devastating loss.
The Muscatine Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from:
- Muscatine Fire Department
- Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office
- Iowa State Patrol
- Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Detectives continue processing multiple crime scenes, collecting evidence, and conducting witness interviews.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the shootings to contact Lieutenant David O’Connor of the Muscatine Police Department Major Crimes Unit at (563) 263-9922, extension 608. Anonymous information may also be provided.
As the investigation continues, the Muscatine community is mourning the loss of multiple family members in one of the most tragic and deadly domestic violence incidents the city has experienced in recent years.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.