Charges brought against 15-year-old in Santa Clara murder case

Feb 7, 2025, 11:15 AM | Updated: 11:18 am

Friends and family leaving flowers and mementos in front of Heather Barela's photo. (KSL TV)

(KSL TV)

Digital Writer & Producer for KSL NewsRadio & KSL TV

SANTA CLARA, Washington County — Charges have officially been filed against a 15-year-old accused of killing a family member and wounding another in a Santa Clara home on Jan. 30.

The teen is accused of one count of murder, four counts of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious injury and one count of aggravated assault, according to documents from the Fifth District Juvenile Court in Washington County.

On Jan. 31, police initially believed an unknown person had entered the Santa Clara home. The teen allegedly and fired shots that killed 44-year-old Heather Ann Barela and injured her 20-year-old son, Brandon Barela. However, the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department later said the suspect was a family member. The teen was then taken into custody.

Due to the fact that the suspect is a minor, KSL TV is not releasing their identity.

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Charges brought against 15-year-old in Santa Clara murder case

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