A Wyoming mother fatally shot her three daughters before taking her own life. A fourth daughter is critically injured.
Tranyelle Harshman, age 32, shot her young daughters between two and nine years old at their home in Byron. Someone reported gunshots, and Harshman told officers she shot her daughters.
Cliff Harshman, Tranyelle’s husband and father to two daughters, is deeply saddened and begging for Olivia, his surviving daughter, to recover. The local community is also affected by the tragedy.
The mom told the dispatcher where to find her children and that she would then shoot herself, adding they would find her upstairs. Brailey, age two, and another two-year-old died, as did a nine-year-old. Olivia, seven, has a severe brain injury.
Police pleaded with the woman to stay on the phone, but she said it was too late and disconnected the call.
Officers found two children dead at the home with head wounds; Olivia and Tranyelle were alive but seriously wounded. The other two-year-old then died from her injuries, and both Olivia and Tranyelle went to the hospital, where Tranyelle later died.
Friends stated Tranyelle struggled with postpartum depression. Briana Baker said people hide their struggles and that Tranyelle was not a monster, adding that loved ones want her remembered for more than this: she was sweet, loving, funny, and her children were her focus.
Mayor Allen Clark spoke about the town’s reaction, saying the small community feels it deeply, because everyone knows each other, making this situation devastating, as he hopes the family endures and looks forward to brighter days.
An online fundraiser helping Cliff Harshman has raised £60,000 so far, while another helps Tranyelle’s ex-husband, Quinn Blackmer, the father of two older children, and has raised over £27,000.
The fundraiser reads: “Tragedy struck. Cliff Harshman lost three daughters. One still fights in Salt Lake. Please pray for her.” This event caused immense grief for Cliff, and funeral expenses add to their pain.
Blackmer said he needs prayers for Olivia, stating she must recover, as his older daughter is gone, and Olivia is all he has left. The fundraiser says Olivia has a severe brain injury, and that her condition is critical, but Brailey watches over her and helps her fight for her life.