A 15-year-old has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in Santa Clara, Utah, in January 2025. The incident left a 44-year-old woman dead and a 20-year-old man injured.
Authorities are withholding the suspect’s identity due to their age. The teen is now facing six felony charges, including one count of first-degree murder, four counts of firing a weapon causing serious bodily harm, and one count of aggravated assault (a third-degree felony).
Victim Identified, Family Seeks Support
The woman who lost her life has been identified as Heather Barela. In the wake of the tragedy, her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses.
Details of the Incident
The shooting occurred on January 30, 2025, at a Santa Clara residence. Officers from the Santa Clara – Ivins Public Safety Department responded to reports of gunfire around 10 p.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered two victims:
- Heather Barela, 44, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Brandon Alfred Barela, 20, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities initially believed an unknown suspect had entered the home, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. However, further investigation revealed a different series of events, and the order was lifted.
By January 31, officials had identified the victims and confirmed that a suspect had been taken into custody.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.
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