Girl, 6, Among Campers Killed At Iowa State Park: Police

MAQUOKETA, IA — A 6-year-old girl and her parents were shot and killed in a random attack at Maquoketa Caves State Park campground in Iowa on Friday morning, according to authorities.

The victims were identified by the Iowa Department of Public Safety as Tyler Schmidt, 42; Sarah Schmidt, 42; and Lula Schmidt, 6, all of Cedar Falls. The family was found in their tent early Friday at the Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground.

The shooter, 23-year-old Anthony Orlando Sherwin of Nebraska, was found dead west of the park, according to police, who said he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

RELATED: 3 Campers Killed In Iowa State Park: Police

The couple's 9-year-old son, Arlo, survived the attack, Cedar Falls Mayor Rob Green said in a Facebook post. Green said Sarah Schmidt was an employee at the Cedar Falls Public Library.

"Like many of you just hearing the news, I'm devastated," Green wrote. "I knew Sarah well, and she and her family were regular walkers here in the Sartori Park neighborhood."

Law enforcement was notified of the triple homicide about 6:30 a.m. Friday. The campground is located just under 50 miles northwest of the Quad Cities.

Autopsies on Sherwin and the victims were scheduled to be performed over the weekend. More information will be released pending the autopsy results.

There is no danger to the public, police said, but Maquoketa Caves State Park remains an active crime scene and is closed until further notice. Camp Shalom, a nearby Christian camp, evacuated campers and staff upon learning of the incident Friday morning, according to a Facebook post from the camp.

Maquoketa Caves State Park comprises large bluffs and about 13 caves, with a 6-mile trail system.

A GoFundMe page has also been established to help support Arlo Schmidt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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