BYRON, WY – In a chilling turn of events, a Wyoming mother reportedly shot her four daughters in their Byron home on Monday afternoon before taking her own life, sending shockwaves through this small community.
The tragic episode began when 32-year-old Tranyelle Harshman placed a harrowing 911 call from her residence on East Shoshone Avenue. During the call, she admitted to shooting her children and hinted at the grim scene officers would find. According to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, she eerily detailed that two children were upstairs in their cribs and two others downstairs.
Despite dispatchers’ desperate attempts to keep Harshman talking on the line, she was adamant that it was too late. The call ended before law enforcement arrived.
Upon reaching the scene, officers found a two-year-old and a nine-year-old had succumbed to gunshot wounds to the head. Meanwhile, another two-year-old and a seven-year-old were hanging onto life with similar injuries. The younger of the two survivors passed away shortly after due to the severity of her injuries.
Harshman was found alive but critically injured. Both she and her surviving daughter were taken to North Big Horn Hospital. The child was later flown to a Salt Lake City hospital, where family members say she is bravely fighting for her life. Harshman, however, died the following day.
Neighbors expressed shock, describing Harshman as a devoted homemaker with no visible signs of distress. “I wish I had known something was going on,” one neighbor lamented. “Maybe I could have helped.”
The aftermath leaves two fathers grappling with unfathomable grief. Fundraising efforts are underway to alleviate the financial burdens faced by the bereaved families. One fundraiser focuses on aiding the father and stepmother of the older girls. “Olivia has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury,” the organizer noted, adding that her recovery if it progresses, will be a long and uncertain journey.
Another fundraiser seeks to support the other father as he faces funeral costs and other financial challenges. “This devastating event has left Cliff and his loved ones reeling,” the page states.
As the community reels, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation, with full incident reports pending completion.