The Barron County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly shooting in Barron, Wisconsin, that left a young man dead and his pregnant sister and unborn child fighting for their lives. The shooting occurred on Wednesday at a home located in the 600 block of Candy Lane.
Upon arrival, deputies and police officers discovered 20-year-old Tyler Sadowski deceased inside the residence. His 17-year-old sister, Makayla, was found shot and critically injured. Officials later confirmed that the shooter, identified as Makayla’s boyfriend, was also found at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooter reportedly posted a video of the attack on Snapchat, which is currently being investigated by the sheriff’s office. Authorities are working to have the disturbing video removed from the platform. Shanay Conyers, the cousin of the victims and niece of their mother, spoke with KARE 11 about the tragic events.
She explained how the incident unfolded. “They came home from town, and Makayla walked inside the house, and they heard like a pop, so Tyler went to see what was happening,” Conyers said. According to Conyers, Makayla’s boyfriend then opened fire on both Makayla, who was shot in the stomach, and Tyler, who was killed.
“She was expecting, so they had to take the baby, and the baby is stable,” Conyers added. “Makayla was in surgery for quite a while yesterday (Wednesday). She has been in surgery again this morning. They expect to have to do another surgery tomorrow (Friday).”
Conyers described how Tyler died trying to protect his sister and mother, who had been waiting outside in the car with Makayla’s 2-year-old child. “Tyler was probably the nicest, sweetest person you would ever meet. Always a smile. The most contagious laugh.
He wouldn’t have ever hurt a person. So, to hear out of everyone, it was really hard,” Conyers recalled. Family members are deeply disturbed that the horrific incident was captured and shared online. “That’s gotta tell you something right there. If you post something like that, you definitely are a violent person,” Conyers said.
The Turtle Lake School District issued a warning to parents, stating that the video might have been received by some of the district’s students. The superintendent of Turtle Lake Public Schools confirmed that the suspected shooter is a former student who last attended the district’s middle school around four years ago.
As the family copes with this tragic loss, they are raising funds to help cover the medical costs for Makayla and her baby.