Wyoming Communities Unite in Candlelight Vigils to Honor Harshman and Blackmer Families
On Friday night, communities across Wyoming gathered in candlelight vigils to offer prayers and support for the families affected by the tragic shooting in Byron on February 10, Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.
The vigils, held in at least 15 towns, initially centered around seven-year-old Olivia Blackmer, the only survivor at the time. Sadly, Olivia passed away the following day due to her injuries, deepening the grief surrounding the heartbreaking event that took the lives of four young girls and their mother, Tranyelle Harshman.
Despite freezing temperatures, hundreds of Wyoming residents attended the vigils, which were held at sunset in towns including Byron, Powell, Lovell, Cody, and Cowley. Emotions ran high as families, friends, and community members embraced, seeking comfort and understanding in the wake of the tragedy.
In Byron, more than 50 people gathered at Southside Park, near the Harshman family home. Event coordinator Samantha Delgado led the vigil, offering prayers in the form of poetry. She emphasized the need for healing and strength, asking those in attendance to keep Olivia, the families, and first responders in their thoughts.
Among the speakers, several community members urged compassion and forgiveness for Tranyelle Harshman, who had been battling severe depression before taking the lives of her children.
“She was one of the best people I’ve ever met, and she just loved her kids so much,” said Sister Brooklyn Barlow of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Local resident Jen Holder echoed this sentiment, highlighting the struggles of mental health.
“People are truly struggling with depression. We need to come together as a community, be kind to each other, and respect each other as human beings.”
Byron Mayor Allan Clark acknowledged the difficulty of processing such an event in a small town.
“It’s hard to imagine that something like this could happen in Byron, Wyoming,” he said. “But it has, and so we have to accept that. And we come here to meet, to celebrate their lives, and to move forward.”
The tragedy has deeply impacted the community, including students at Rocky Mountain Elementary School, where Olivia and one of her sisters were enrolled. The school has offered counseling services and brought in a facility support dog to help students and staff cope. Writing exercises encouraged children to share their memories of Olivia and her sister Brailey, providing a way to process their grief.
In Powell, Victory Baptist Church Pastor Bill Harvison led prayers for the 80 to 100 people gathered. He emphasized the importance of striving toward forgiveness, even if it takes time.
“It may not come today or tomorrow, but I think people should try to get to that point. I believe that’s an important part of healing.”
Harvison also prayed for Olivia, the victims’ parents, first responders, and medical staff. Following the prayers, Cliff Harshman, Tranyelle’s husband and the father of two of the victims, embraced the pastor in a heartfelt moment of unity.
As Byron residents continue to process their grief, they have created a memorial near the Harshman home, placing stuffed animals and candles in the snow. Online, support has been overwhelming. A GoFundMe fundraiser for Cliff Harshman surpassed its $100,000 goal in less than a week, and a separate fundraiser for Quinn and Katelynn Blackmer has also exceeded that amount.
Memorial services for Jordan, Brooke, and Tranyelle Harshman will take place on Saturday, February 22, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Powell. The Blackmer family has not yet announced service details.
