Wyoming mother shot four daughters, killing three before shooting herself, police say

BYRON, Wyoming — Detectives are investigating after a Byron, Wyoming mother allegedly shot her four daughters Monday afternoon, killing three and then shooting herself.

According to a news release from the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, the mother, identified by the Cowboy State Daily as Tranyelle Harshman, called 911 at 1:30 p.m., reporting gunshots in her home on the 200 block of East Shoshone Street.

Harshman told dispatch that her four daughters had been shot, and she believed them to be dead. She then reported that two of the children would be found upstairs in their cribs, and the other two would be found downstairs in their shared bedroom.

She reportedly told police she would be found in her upstairs bedroom, and she was going to shoot herself too, according to the release.

“The dispatcher pleaded with the female caller over the phone for the female caller to remain on the line until responding units arrive,” says the release. “The female caller stated multiple times that she could not do that and that it was too late.”

The release says the call was then disconnected. Dispatchers with the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, the Lovell Police Department, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol reportedly arrived soon after.

Deputies cleared the home and found two young girls, ages 2 and 9 years old, deceased with gunshots to the head. They also discovered two more young girls, ages 2 and 7 years old, still alive, with gunshot wounds to the head.

Harshman was found in the upstairs bedroom with a single gunshot wound to the head but “was found to have signs of life,” according to the release.

Responding officers administered lifesaving first aid to Harshman and the 7-year-old. The initially surviving 2-year-old “succumbed a very short time later due to the extent of her injuries.”

The 7-year-old was transported to North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell, Wyoming, where she was given advanced life support and was then airlifted by Cody Regional Health-First Flight of Wyoming air medical helicopter to Salt Lake City, Utah for “an advanced level of care.”

Harshman was also transported to North Big Horn Hospital for advanced life support and “rapidly transported to an advanced level of care.”

According to the Cowboy State Daily, Harshman died Tuesday afternoon.

As of Tuesday evening, the 7-year-old was “in critical but stable condition” after surgery, and her family stated they are “cautiously optimistic,” according to Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn in a comment to the Cowboy State Daily.

According to the Cowboy State Daily, neighbors say there were “no outward signs” that Harshman was struggling and that the family seemed normal and happy.

“I wish I had known something was going on. I could have done something about it,” said a neighbor to The Cowboy Daily. “Terrible. F***ing terrible.”

Friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe for Cliff Harshman, husband to Tranyelle and father/step-father of the four children killed and injured. Click here to donate.

“Cliff Harshman, a devoted husband and father of four beautiful daughters, has suffered an unimaginable loss: the passing of 3 of his precious girls. 1 still fighting in Salt Lake, please pray for her,” says the GoFundMe. “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.”

There is also a second GoFundMe fundraiser, raising money for the 7-year-old’s hospital bills, the 9-year-old’s funeral expenses, and travel costs for Quinn and Katelynn Blackmer, the 7 and 9-year-old’s father and stepmother. Click here to donate.

“All prayers and whatever higher faith or power you believe in are appreciated for the family at this time. If she does pull through this, she and the family have a very long road ahead of them, a lot of unknown right now,” says the second GoFundMe. “This loss and hurt is unimaginable. Please rally around Quinn and Katelynn as they prepare to bury one daughter and beg and pray that the other survives this horrible tragic event.”