A mum-of-four tragically shot her three daughters, killing two of them, before phoning the police to inform them she was about to take her own life. Tranyelle Harshman from Wyoming unleashed a horrific shooting spree on her children aged between two and nine, resulting in the third girl being rushed to intensive care.
The shocking incident took place inside their Byron home on Monday, February 10, according to police reports. Authorities were alerted to the situation after receiving reports of gunfire within the residence, following a call from a woman believed to be Harshman, 32, stating “her daughters had been shot”, reports the Mirror.
She informed the dispatcher the girls were in their cribs, with two located downstairs in the bedroom, and revealed her intention to “shoot herself’ and they would find her in the upstairs bedroom. A seven-year-old girl was left fighting for her life with a ‘severe traumatic brain injury’.
The police said: “The dispatcher pleaded with the female caller over the phone for the female caller to remain on the line until responding suits arrived. The female caller stated multiple times she could not do that and it was too late.
“Multiple attempts to keep her on the line failed and the call was disconnected.”
Police discovered two young girls deceased with gunshot wounds to their heads in their home. Friends report the mum had been battling post-partum depression.
Her friend Briana Baker said: “You never know what someone is struggling with inside of their mind. Tranyelle was not the monster this tragedy makes her seem to be.
“Her loved ones don’t want her to be remembered for her darkest moments. She was sweet, loving, and funny. Her children were her main focus in life.”
Byron Mayor Allen Clark expressed how deeply the shooting has affected the local community, saying: “When you’re in a small community like this, you know, everyone rubs shoulders with everyone. It’s just devastating. I just hope and pray that the family can endure and hopefully brighter days ahead.”
A fundraising page on GoFundMe has been created to support Tranyelle’s husband, Cliff Harshman, raising £60,000 to date. Cliff fathered the two younger girls, while the two older children were fathered by her previous husband, Quinn Blackmer.
The fundraiser page shared the heart-wrenching news: “Tragedy has struck, leaving us shattered and heartbroken. Cliff Harshman, a devoted husband and father of four beautiful daughters, has suffered an unimaginable loss: the passing of three of his precious girls. One still fighting in Salt Lake, please pray for her.
“This devastating event has left Cliff and his loved ones reeling in grief, struggling to come to terms with the immense void left in their lives. The financial burden of funeral expenses, ongoing family support, and other related costs only adds to their pain.”
In conversation with Cowboy State Daily, Mr Blackmer shared his deep sorrow: “I need the world praying for my baby [Olivia], I need her to pull through. “I don’t have my (older) daughter any more and this is all I have left.”
To support Mr Blackmer, a separate GoFundMe campaign has been organised, raising upwards of £27,000. The fundraising appeal further states: “Olivia has suffered severe traumatic brain injury and is fighting hard for her life!
“She is in critical condition; the next few days will be crucial for her outcome. We know Brailey is watching over her baby sister from the other side, helping her fight for her life!”