In a heart-wrenching incident that has shocked communities across Wyoming and beyond, the fourth child of Tranyelle Harshman—who was also the sole survivor of an earlier shooting—passed away in hospital on Saturday, 15 February.
The loss marks a devastating conclusion to a series of tragic events that unfolded earlier this month, leaving an entire family shattered by grief and a community searching for answers.
The Sequence of Events
On 10 February, a tragic shooting incident took place at the Harshman family home in Wyoming. In a series of events that have left investigators and mental health professionals seeking deeper understanding, Tranyelle Harshman opened fire on her children before turning the weapon on herself
The shooting claimed the lives of her three eldest children at the scene. According to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, the three children—Brailey (aged nine), Brooke (aged two), and Jordan (aged two)—suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head.
In what was initially a glimmer of hope amid the horror, Olivia Blackmer, the seven-year-old daughter, managed to survive the initial attack. Emergency services transported her to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she received immediate medical care.
However, despite the valiant efforts of medical personnel and the use of all available treatments, Olivia’s condition deteriorated over the following days.
Olivia Blackmer’s Battle and Passing
Olivia’s struggle to survive became a symbol of both the resilience of the human spirit and the tragic consequences of a family’s disintegration under unimaginable circumstances. While the child was initially responsive—albeit under sedation—her condition steadily worsened.
Hospital staff and the family observed that, despite various interventions, the severity of her injuries rendered further medical options ineffective.
A formal statement from the family on the day of her passing poignantly noted, “Olivia is with her sisters now. She gained her angel wings yesterday at 3:44 pm. She fought so, so hard up until the last minute!
Her body and her brain had been through too much. Medication helped, but we reached a point where medical options were exhausted and her body only continued to get worse.” This announcement not only marked the end of Olivia’s brave battle but also served as a final farewell to a young life lost too soon.
