An Iowa Family Was Murdered at a Campground. Their Community Shares Their Memories of Them.

Anthony Sherwin, 23, reportedly shot three members of a family of 4, killing all except nine-year-old Arlo Schmidt, before killing himself at an Iowa Campground near Maquoketa Caves State Park near the eastern Iowa border. The other victims were Arlo's parents, Sarah and Tyler Schmidt, and his younger sister, Lula. Authorities have been unable to determine the motive behind such a grisly crime.

The Schmidt family's community in Cedar Falls, Iowa, has sent an outpour of love and condolences for the family. Sarah was a well-known employee at the Cedar Falls public library, which has started to pay great tribute to the family via an art memorial. A GoFundMe is in place for Arlo, which has already raised more than $200,000.00.

The community remembers the family as humble, kind, and generous people. Tyler's childhood friend, D'Andre Moore, commented about his death: "I met Tyler in 7th or 8th grade, and although we did not grow up together, we definitely grew together being classmates for years. When I came from Waterloo schools to Cedar Falls, it was a shock to my system, to say the least. Tyler was one of the very first people to reach out to any uncomfortable kid and let them know that there were people in the world who would not judge you based on income, skin color, etc.

Tyler would light up a room simply because he was always smiling. And I'm not sure what was more infectious, his laugh or sense of humor. When you hear the phrase "The best of us," that describes Tyler perfectly, he would help regardless of who you were or what situation you were in. He was genuinely a good person. He was humble, supportive, and always upbeat. I regret that I never got the chance to meet his wife or daughter, and I will carry that with me for the rest of my life. We are all worse because of this loss, and this sadness that has come over us is like a weighted shroud. This madnesses of gun profits over people has got to stop!"

According to the National Gun Violence Archives, there have been 11,524 gun-related homicides this year in America.

(The shooter-Anthony Sherwin pictured above)

Photo Credit: Jana Morehouse via Facebook and Google Images