Two teenage boys were killed in an apparent murder-suicide in rural northern Arizona.
Colten Boyle has been identified by his family as one of two 15-year-olds killed in Tonto Basin on Saturday.
Police said a 15-year-old boy shot another 15-year-old boy before killing himself. Both were shot in the head and are believed to be dead, as reported by Arizona’s family.
Officers found a boy dead at the scene, but Boyle was still alive. He was flown to a trauma center, where he was placed on life support before dying Sunday.
A group of seven people between the ages of 15 and 20 were present at the time of the shooting. All but one had been drinking, officials said.
Boyle’s family said they chose to publicly identify him because they wanted the public to know he was not the shooter.
“This was the worst day of our lives,” his mother Michelle Boyle wrote on Facebook.
‘Colten Boyle left us far too soon after being on a ventilator. He was surrounded by most who loved him.
Colten Boyle, 15, was the victim of a murder-suicide in rural Arizona on Saturday, according to his family
Boyle was a successful cowboy and often competed in horseback riding competitions, according to his social media
Tonto Basin is a rural area about an hour and a half drive northeast of Phoenix
“I don’t want his life to be remembered as the little boy in Tonto Basin who was murdered. He was the funniest/kindest/hardworking ranch hand/best big/little brother/crazy 90’s cowboy shirt with a cowboy cowboy and OUR SON.
“His Snapchats and texts can make you pee your pants laughing. He never failed to make a smart comment when you bothered him.
‘We are extremely shocked that this has happened to him. He had everything to live for! He still had so much to do!’
Boyle was a successful cowboy and often participated in horseback riding competitions, according to his Facebook profile.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into what led to the shooting and it is unclear when the second slain boy will be identified.
No further information has been released.
Located about an hour and a half drive northeast of Phoenix, Tonto Basin is one of the Grand Canyon State’s famous beauty spots.