A Utah teen is not expected to survive after her former boyfriend shot her in the head and then killed himself in an apparent murder-suicide, KSL-TV reports.
The victim, 17-year-old Lily Conroy, has been on life support since she was found “mortally wounded” Wednesday afternoon, according to the television station.
Both Conroy and the alleged shooter, 19-year-old Masao Kaanga, were discovered with gunshot wounds to their heads and “slumped over in the front seats” of Kaanga’s vehicle at Hobble Creek Park in Springville, Utah, according to KUTV.
The couple had reportedly split on Tuesday, after which Kaanga is alleged to have threatened the teen.
Authorities pronounced Kaanga dead at the scene and medics rushed Conroy by helicopter to a hospital, where she was placed on life support in an effort to preserve her organs, KSL-TV reports.
“The family wishes to carry on their daughter’s legacy to help someone in need,” Springville Police Lt. Warren Foster said in a statement, according to KUTV.
Conroy was a junior at Springville High School and Kaanga had graduated from the same school one year earlier. Their families reportedly live along the same street.
At a candlelight vigil on Thursday, Bishop Jeff Barrett of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints urged the community to help both families.
“I know that there are a lot of people that are wanting to show their love and support for these families, and we are really grateful for your desire to do that,” Barrett said, according to KSL-TV. “I would encourage you to reach out when you feel it is appropriate to do so while also respecting them and their privacy during this time.”
He added: “It is a marathon, not a sprint, when it comes to simple acts of service, so I would encourage you that while this is an amazing show of support, to not let this die down. I encourage you to find opportunities over the next days and weeks and even months to reach out to these families. It will get quiet in their homes, and I know that they will be looking for friends who they can commiserate with and maybe share stories with.”
Counselors were at the community’s high school to help students and staff grieve, KSTU-TV reports.
A GoFundMe campaign for Conroy describes her as “full of life and love.”
If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or needs assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
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[Featured image: Lily Conroy/Springville High School]
