NEED TO KNOW
- Makayla Sadowski, who was 7-months pregnant at the time of the shooting, survived the attack
- Tyler Sadowski is being hailed a hero for saving his sister and her baby
- The shooter, identified as Makayla’s boyfriend, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
A Wisconsin family is mourning the loss of a young man who was killed trying to protect his pregnant sister as she was shot by her boyfriend.
Tyler Sadowski, 20, was found dead by Barron County law enforcement responding to a report of a shooting last week at a home in Barron, Wis., officials said in a statement.
His sister, 17-year-old Makayla Sadowski, was also shot and transported to a local hospital in the Wednesday, Oct. 1 attack. She was 7-months pregnant at the time of the shooting. Her family has since told police the baby was delivered and is doing well.
The Barron County Sheriff’s Office did not name the victims in their statement, but they were identified in a GoFundMe set up by their family.
Police also located the shooter, seemingly with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and transported him to a medical facility.
In an updated statement issued on Monday, Oct. 6, the sheriff’s office announced that the shooter, identified as 17-year-old Marcus Hinojosa, has died from his injuries.
Police confirmed Marcus was Makayla’s boyfriend.
An investigation revealed Makayla and her family arrived at the apartment around 2 p.m. on Wednesday when Hinojosa, who was already there, shot her, per the updated statement.
Tyler was shot at the doorway as he went in to check on his sister, police said. Their mother was waiting in a car outside with Makayla’s 2-year-old, a family member told KARE 11.
In their fundraiser for the siblings, the family claimed Tyler died in “a heroic act of love” trying to protect his sister, who was shot in the stomach but survived.
The Barron County Sheriff’s Office said they are also aware of “a disturbing Snapchat video involving this homicide” and have asked the social media company to remove it.
When contacted about the incident, Snapchat reiterated to PEOPLE their community guidelines which prohibit content that graphically displays violent or threatening behavior. The social media platform said they removed the video wherever they identified it in order to make sure their viewers are not subject to it.
As of Monday, police said in their statement, they’re still working with Snapchat to remove the video.
Tyler is being remembered as a loving brother, uncle and son.
“…a young man full of kindness, laughter, and light,” read part of the fundraiser, “…always ready to lend a hand, always putting family first.”
“Losing him has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled,” his family said.
Makayla and her baby are stable, her family told police. Makayla’s 2-year-old is in the care of her family at this time.
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A motive behind the shootings has not been announced.
Makayla’s cousin continues to raise funds for the family, accepting donations through Facebook in addition to the GoFundMe.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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