Parents, 6-Year-Old Girl Killed At Maquoketa Caves, Son Escaped

A young family from Cedar Falls were the victims killed in a morning shooting at the Maquoketa Caves State Park campground, officials announced Friday evening.

The Division of Criminal Investigation released the names of the victims that were murdered in their tent:

Tyler Schmidt, 42, Cedar Falls

Sarah Schmidt, 42, Cedar Falls

Lulu Schmidt, 6, Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls Mayor Rob Green later confirmed that the family’s 9-year-old son, Arlo, was also camping with the family but escaped the killings.

Green also said that Sarah Schmidt worked at the Cedar Falls Public Library.

“I knew Sarah well, and she & her family were regular walkers here in the Sartori Park neighborhood,” Green said in a post on Facebook. “I was working with her this week on a public library tech presentation for 7/26 … The Cedar Falls Library will be closed tomorrow for the sake of the staff who loved and worked with Sarah.”

There remains no known link between the family and the killer, who was from another state.

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The man suspected of shooting and killing the three family members was discovered dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot after police searched the surrounding area. Officials previously announced the deceased suspect’s name as Anthony Orlando Sherwin, a 23 year old from Nebraska.

The murders occurred around 6:20 am. The entire park was evacuated and remained closed today.

Starting Line will have more information as it becomes available.

by Pat Rynard
07/22/22

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