Left inset: Tyler Sadowski. Right inset: Makayla Sadowski (GoFundMe). Background: The 600 block of Candy Lane in Barron, Wisconsin, where Tyler Sadowski tragically lost his life protecting his pregnant sister Makayla Sadowski, who was also shot (WCCO/YouTube).
A young man in Wisconsin was fatally shot while trying to “protect” his teenage pregnant sister from her violent boyfriend. The boyfriend shot her in the abdomen and later posted a video of the incident on SnapChat, according to law enforcement officials.
The “shocking SnapChat video” allegedly circulated online following Wednesday’s harrowing gun assault on Tyler Sadowski, 20, and Makayla Sadowski, 17. It’s believed that students at a local high school, where the shooter had previously been a student, may have seen the footage, according to the Barron County Sheriff’s Department.
“We are aware … and are working with SnapChat to remove this video,” the sheriff’s department said in a Facebook post Wednesday after the shooting.
Makayla Sadowski’s boyfriend is accused of fatally shooting Tyler Sadowski, injuring her, and then turning the gun on himself as the siblings returned home. The Sadowski family issued a statement on GoFundMe, praising Tyler’s “heroic act of love” as he tried to shield his sister.
“In his bravery, he sacrificed his life,” the statement reads. “Makayla, who was seven months pregnant, was hit in the stomach. She is currently hospitalized, fighting for her and her baby’s life. At home, there is a 2-year-old toddler awaiting her love and care, and our family is doing all we can to support her through this ordeal.”
Shanay Conyers, a relative, shared with local NBC station KARE that the siblings had just returned from town when Makayla entered the house, hearing a noise that sounded like a pop. Tyler went to investigate and was then allegedly shot by Makayla’s boyfriend.
Tyler and Makayla’s mom, meanwhile, was in a car outside with the teen’s 2-year-old child.
“Our family is doing everything we can to hold her [the child] up through this nightmare,” the GoFundMe description says.
Speaking to KARE, Conyers condemned the SnapChat video that was allegedly taken of the double shooting, saying it shows the depravity behind what happened.
“That’s gotta tell you something right there,” she said. “If you post something like that, you definitely are a violent person.”
The Turtle Lake School District reportedly sent a warning to parents last week that the alleged video may have been received and viewed by students.
“We have heard that the shooter … was a former student of Turtle Lake School years ago,” the district said in a statement. “He apparently shared a graphic video of the shooting on Snapchat, where some Turtle Lake students could have received the message and could be upset. Please talk to your children tonight about this incident. Our counselor will be available tomorrow to discuss any needs your child may have.”
The Barron Area School District also sent out an email, saying: “We were also informed by the Barron County Sheriff’s Department that the suspect involved in today’s incident recorded and distributed a video via Snapchat, showing the aftermath. This video is reportedly spreading rapidly across social media platforms. We are sharing this information so that parents and guardians are aware, as some students may have access to the content through their personal devices at home.”
Makayla’s boyfriend is still being treated for his self-inflicted injuries at a local medical facility and is expected to be charged once he’s released, cops say. Makayla has undergone multiple surgeries and her baby is in stable condition after being delivered by doctors.
