BYRON, WY – A small Wyoming community is reeling after a mother fatally shot her four daughters before turning the gun on herself, casting a shadow of tragedy over the town of Byron.
On Monday afternoon, Tranyelle Harshman, 32, called 911 from her home on East Shoshone Avenue, reporting that she had shot her children. Byron, a small town nearly 415 miles northwest of Cheyenne and approximately 90 miles south of Billings, Montana, became the center of a devastating domestic tragedy.
According to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, Harshman told dispatchers during the call that she believed her daughters were dead, providing a grim description of the scene inside the house. In haunting detail, she explained that two of the children would be found upstairs in their cribs while the other two were in their shared bedroom downstairs. Before ending the call, she indicated her intention to take her own life.
Dispatchers desperately attempted to keep Harshman on the line until responders could arrive, but their efforts proved futile. She ended the call, stating repeatedly that it was too late.
Authorities soon reached the scene to find a heartbreak beyond words. Two girls—a 2-year-old and her 9-year-old half-sister—had succumbed to gunshot wounds. Two other children, another 2-year-old and her 7-year-old half-sister, were also shot. The youngest passed away shortly after due to the severity of her injuries. The surviving 7-year-old was transported to a hospital in Salt Lake City and remains in critical condition, battling for her life.
Harshman was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was taken to North Big Horn Hospital, but she did not survive past Tuesday afternoon.
The Harshman family had resided in their Byron home for about a year, according to nearby residents. A neighbor recounted fond memories of the children playing outside, expressing shock and sadness over the unexpected tragedy. Despite witnessing no prior signs of distress from Harshman, he lamented not being able to intervene.
The incident left two fathers mourning the loss of their children and grappling with the devastation left by Harshman’s actions. To alleviate the financial strain, two GoFundMe campaigns have been launched. One supports the biological father and stepmother of the two older girls, addressing medical and upcoming funeral expenses. The second fundraiser assists the widower father of the younger children, addressing funeral costs and family support.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, but further details remain pending as the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office finalizes the incident report. The tight-knit community of Byron is left trying to comprehend this grievous event, offering support to grieving families as they navigate their unfathomable loss.