3 Cedar Falls family members fatally shot while camping at Maquoketa Caves State Park

MAQUOKETA — Three family members from Cedar Falls were killed while camping Friday at Maquoketa Caves State Park, and the suspected Nebraska gunman then shot and killed himself, law enforcement officials said.

Officers were called to the park’s campground before 6:30 a.m., the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said in a statement.

Officers found three people fatally shot in a tent at the campground, DCI Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt said.

The DCI identified the three Friday evening as Tyler Schmidt, 42, Sarah Schmidt, 42, and Lulu Schmidt, 6. Investigators did not say how the three were related or provide a motive for the attack.

The suspected gunman was identified as Anthony Orlando Sherwin, 23, of Nebraska. Investigators do not believe he had any prior relationship with the Schmidt family, Mortvedt said,

After officers arrived Friday, the park was immediately closed and campers evacuated as officers searched for the shooter.

The only registered camper not accounted for was Sherwin, 23, Mortvedt said.

“He was known to be armed. That, of course, heightened our awareness as well,” Mortvedt said.

Using a plane to help with the search, officers found Sherwin dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a wooded area of the park, Mortvedt said.

Mortvedt said he could not say if Sherwin had a criminal record. A search of online court records in Nebraska and Iowa did not show any criminal arrests.

Iowa law allows people with gun permits to carry firearms virtually anywhere in the state. Officials did not say if Sherwin had a permit.

Autopsies on the Schmidts and Sherwin are scheduled to be performed over the weekend, Mortvedt said.

On Friday, parents of children attending Camp Shalom at the park were notified of the “active shooter” situation and that their children had been evacuated and taken to Little Bear Park in Maquoketa.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement she was “horrified” by the slayings and “devastated by the loss of three innocent lives. As we grieve this unimaginable tragedy, Kevin and I pray for the victims’ family members and the law enforcement officers who responded to the scene. We ask Iowans to do the same.”

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon said she and DNR staff were “devastated for the families impacted by the tragic incident.”

“Our long-standing tradition of enjoying Iowa’s natural wonders was shaken today,” she said. “ … This heartbreaking incident hits home for the DNR family, not only as people who are passionate about getting folks outside but as people who regularly camp with our families at these same parks.”

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, said in a statement, “This was a horrifying and senseless act of violence. As we wait to learn more, I join all Iowans in praying for those who lost their lives and our community. … I am grateful for our law enforcement officers who are working to keep us safe.”

Maquoketa Caves State Park, in Jackson County, has 13 caves, including the 800-foot “Dancehall Cave,” a 6-mile trail system and a campground.

The park is one of 23 state parks with housing for DNR staff, including park rangers and park managers. The DNR last year asked these staff to vacate, saying park housing was too costly to maintain.

Some staff already have moved out, but the house at Maquoketa Caves was occupied by a park technician as of May 25, according to information the DNR provided to The Gazette on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.