Byron, Wyoming – A tragic shooting unfolded in Byron, Wyoming, where a mother-of-four fatally shot three of her daughters and critically wounded another before turning the gun on herself, according to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office.
Mother Opens Fire on Her Children Before Suicide
The suspect, 32-year-old Tranyelle Harshman, shot her daughters—twin 2-year-olds, a 7-year-old, and a 9-year-old—inside their home on Monday.
Authorities received a 911 call from a woman stating “her daughters had been shot” and that she believed they were dead.
According to the sheriff’s office, the caller also indicated she planned to take her own life in her upstairs bedroom.
Dispatchers begged her to remain on the line until help arrived, but she repeatedly said, “It was too late,” before disconnecting.
Surviving Daughter in Critical Condition
When emergency responders arrived, they found Harshman and her 7-year-old daughter, Olivia, still alive. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Harshman was pronounced dead.
Olivia, who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, was airlifted first to Billings, Montana, and later to Salt Lake City for specialized neurological care.
A GoFundMe page set up for the family stated, “Olivia is fighting hard for her life! She is in critical condition; the next few days will be crucial for her outcome.”
The fundraiser also noted that if she survives, she faces a long and challenging recovery.
Community Mourns Unimaginable Tragedy
The victims were identified as Brailey, Olivia, and their two younger half-sisters. They are survived by their father, Quinn, and his wife, Katelynn Blackmer, who also have a one-year-old son.
Byron Mayor Allen Clark expressed his devastation, saying, “In a small community like this, everyone knows each other. It’s just heartbreaking.
I hope the family can find strength in this difficult time.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe page for the Blackmers had raised more than $42,000.
This tragedy comes more than a year after a similar case in Massachusetts, where a mother allegedly strangled her three children before attempting to take her own life.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
