Friends and Family Mourn the Loss of Southern Utah Mother

Update: 2/10/2025

Authorities have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was charged with murder, five counts of discharging a firearm resulting in injury, and aggravated assault.

The identity of the teen hasn't been released due to their status as a minor. The relation to between the suspect and the victim also hasn't been confirmed.

Original Story

A woman was declared dead, and a man was found injured at a residence in Santa Clara Thursday evening.  

Both people were reportedly shot by a minor in the area of Santa Clara View Drive and Circle Drive around 10 p.m. 

The woman was identified by authorities as Heather Barella, 44, and the injured man was identified as Brandon Barella, 20.  

The Santa Clara – Ivins Public Safety Department released a statement detailing the incident. 

Chief Jaron L. Studley said, “On January 30, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM, officers responded to reports of gunshots in the area of Santa Clara View Drive and Circle Drive in Santa Clara. Upon arrival, officers made contact with individuals at a residence where they discovered one person had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.” 

Brandon was transported to St. George Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for the area near the shooting. 

Studley said, “Initial reports suggested that an unknown assailant had entered the home during a suspected home invasion, shooting the deceased victim before fleeing the scene. As a precaution, a reverse 911 alert was sent to local residents, advising them to shelter in place while law enforcement conducted a search for the suspect.” 

The shelter in place was later lifted as authorities realized the suspect was one of the minors still at the residence where the shooting took place. The identity of the suspect hasn’t been released as they are a minor. 

The family and friends of Heather are mourning the sudden loss of their mother and friend. A GoFundMe page, organized by Jennifer Chacon, has been created to help raise money for funeral expenses. 

Chacon said, “Heather was such a lovely person; she was kind and generous and always willing to help others and lift others with her positive spirit and bubbly personality! She was a loyal friend, an amazing mother, and had the biggest heart for her children.” 

Please consider checking out the GoFundMe page for more information.