Two teenage boys tragically lost their lives in what appears to be a murder-suicide incident in a remote area of northern Arizona.
Colten Boyle has been identified by his family as one of the two 15-year-olds who tragically lost their lives on Saturday in Tonto Basin.
According to Arizona’s Family, it has been reported that a tragic incident occurred where a 15-year-old boy shot another 15-year-old before taking his own life. Both individuals sustained gunshot wounds to the head and sadly, they were pronounced dead.
One boy was discovered deceased at the location, while Boyle, on the other hand, was still breathing. He was airlifted to a trauma center and placed on life support. Unfortunately, Boyle passed away on Sunday.
Seven individuals, ranging in age from 15 to 20, were present during the shooting incident. It was reported that all of them, except for one, had consumed alcohol.
Boyle’s family has made the decision to publicly reveal his identity in order to ensure that the public understands that he was not the one responsible for the shooting.
“This has been the worst day of our lives,” expressed his mother, Michelle Boyle, on Facebook.
Colten Boyle’s time with us ended prematurely as he relied on life support. However, he was fortunate to have the presence of those who cherished him during his final moments.
Colten Boyle, a 15-year-old boy, tragically lost his life in a devastating murder-suicide incident that took place in rural Arizona. This heartbreaking news was confirmed by his grieving family, who are now left grappling with immense grief and pain.
According to his social media, Boyle was a skilled cowboy who frequently took part in horse-riding competitions.
Tonto Basin, located approximately an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Phoenix, is a serene rural area.
“I don’t want people to remember his life as that of a kid who was murdered in Tonto Basin. He was so much more than that. He was the kind of person who always managed to bring a smile to our faces with his incredible sense of humor. He was a dedicated and hardworking ranch hand, always giving his best. And to us, he was not just a brother, but the best big and little brother anyone could ask for. With his love for cowboy shirts straight out of the 90s and his passion for roping, he embodied the spirit of a true cowboy. He was our son, and his memory should be a celebration of the wonderful person he was.”
His Snapchats and text messages were so hilarious that they could easily make you burst into laughter. He always had a clever comeback whenever someone tried to sass him.
“We are devastated by what has happened to him. He had so much to look forward to! There was still so much more he wanted to accomplish!”
According to his Facebook profile, Boyle was a skilled cowboy who achieved success in horse-riding competitions.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The identity of the second boy who was killed has not yet been released.
There have been no additional details disclosed.
Tonto Basin, located about an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Phoenix, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty.