SANTA CLARA, Utah — A 15-year-old has been charged in connection with a shooting that resulted in the death of a woman and left a man injured in Santa Clara, Utah, on January 30, 2025. The teenager, whose identity is not being released due to their age, faces six felony charges, including one count of murder, four counts of discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault.
The shooting occurred late in the evening, with officers from the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department responding to a home on the 10th East block of Santa Clara at approximately 10 p.m. After arriving at the scene, authorities discovered two individuals had been shot. Heather Barela, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene, while her 20-year-old son, Brandon Alfred Barela, was transported to an area hospital. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening.
Authorities initially believed an “unknown assailant” had entered the home, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents as law enforcement began a search for the suspect. However, this theory was later disproven, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted the following day.
On January 31, 2025, the identities of the victims were released, and officials announced that an arrest had been made in connection with the crime. The teenager is now facing charges in what police have described as a tragic and senseless act of violence.
Family members of Heather Barela have since set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The teen is expected to face a court hearing in the coming weeks.