Tragic Timeline of Iowa Family Shooting

The individual responsible for the recent shooting that took the lives of six family members in Iowa had a troubled past, including a previous daycare center he operated where an infant tragically died, as highlighted in court records.

Ryan Willis McFarland managed Little People Daycare and Preschool alongside his wife, Lesa McFarland, who was among the victims of the recent incident.

As reported by the Quad-City Times, Lesa had become increasingly frustrated with the limited childcare options when she decided to open the daycare in the early 2000s. However, this business venture was overshadowed by a tragic event involving the death of an 8-month-old infant named Charles Negus, who was discovered unresponsive in his crib. McFarland, a repeat offender, faced charges of felony child endangerment and child neglect in connection with the infant’s death.

Although the baby passed away at a hospital, investigations revealed some confusion over whether the cause was asphyxiation or an unexplained sudden death. Eventually, McFarland reached a plea deal, reducing the initial felony charge to a misdemeanor, thereby sidestepping a potential 50-year prison sentence. The neglect charge was dismissed.

“We opted for the assurance of a negotiated plea instead of risking a jury trial,” commented the county attorney at the time.

Despite having his childcare license revoked, it was discovered that McFarland failed to disclose prior violations on his application.

In terms of criminal history, McFarland faced charges of armed robbery in Illinois in 1994, receiving a seven-year prison sentence. He also pleaded guilty to theft in 1997, serving an additional eight years in prison. More recently, in 2019, he was convicted of fraud after being accused of tampering with a car’s odometer.

Investigators are still trying to piece together the motives behind McFarland’s shooting spree, but they suspect it may have originated from a domestic issue.

The victims included Lyle McFarland, 20, Mark McFarland, 16, and Ryan McFarland Jr., 13, all family members, which police have described as an “act of evil.” Dakota Whitlow, 32, and Austin Harris, 29, were also killed, with their bodies discovered at separate locations.

Four individuals were identified at McFarland’s residence, where he had lived for over two decades. McFarland was later found deceased from a gunshot wound outside his home.

A neighbor reported that, mere minutes prior to the shooting, McFarland was outside yelling about money. They recalled hearing him say, “Don’t worry about money. When you die, it’s all gone.”

At a vigil held for the victims, Dakota Whitlow’s fiancée, Audrey Perdue, expressed her heartbreak over the loss of Whitlow, highlighting his potential as a talented metalworker along with the other victims. She shared her deep sorrow about the future they had envisioned together.

Jonathan McFarland, Ryan’s surviving son, addressed the mourners, sharing his disbelief about the tragic events and expressing profound love for his family, including his father, regardless of the circumstances. His heartfelt emotions echoed the sorrow shared by many in the community.