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