x
Breaking News
More () »

Cedar Falls community gathers to remember victims in Maquoketa Caves shooting

Tyler, Sarah and Lula Schmidt were honored at a celebration of life event at Overman Park in Cedar Falls on Tuesday.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids community gathered together to honor the lives of the three victims of the Maquoketa Caves shooting.

The event was livestreamed on KCRG's YouTube channel.

Tyler and Sarah Schmidt, as well as their 6-year-old daughter, Lula, were shot and killed while camping at Maquoketa Caves State Park by 23-year-old Anthony Sherwin, who took his own life.

The family is survived by their 9-year-old son, Arlo, who managed to escape the shooting. A GoFundMe campaign has been raising money to support him in the aftermath of the shooting.

In a Facebook post published in the evening on July 25, Cedar Falls Mayor Rob Green, who personally knew Sarah, announced a celebration of life event dedicated to honoring the family taking place a week later on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The event was held at Cedar Fall's Overman Park from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

RELATED: Suspected gunman's motive in Maquoketa Caves State Park shooting still a mystery

The Schmidt's extended family was supportive of the event, and the city will even be streaming the ceremony to them so they can participate no matter where they were.

Mayor Green adds that the family's funeral is anticipated to remain private and that he won't share any details for the family's privacy, though he does say that "the city will take the best care of them that we possibly can."

"In closing, tomorrow I expect to be back into the normal workday of a mayor, but all the family members have my cell phone number in case they need anything at all," Mayor Green said. "I’ll continue reaching out for unusual needs like banker’s boxes, drivers, and the like, and also working on this Celebration of Life (and I hope you’ll come). As traumatic as this has all been, I’m buoyed by the love and generosity that’s been poured out by Cedar Falls and the whole nation. I hope you are, too.  We’ll get through this together."

Neighbors, as we approach the sun’s setting on another day -- our third full day of grappling with this tragedy --...

Posted by Mayor Rob Green - Cedar Falls, Iowa on Monday, July 25, 2022

Download the WQAD News 8 App 
Subscribe to our newsletter 
► 
Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Before You Leave, Check This Out