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SANTA CLARA, Washington County — A "minor" has been arrested and accused of shooting and killing a family member and injuring another family member in Santa Clara.
Police announced Friday that Heather Ann Barela, 44, was shot and killed inside her home. Brandon Alfred Barela, 20, was also shot and sustained injuries not considered to be life-threatening. He also lived in the home.
Officers responded to reports of gunshots at about 11 p.m. Thursday in the area of Santa Clara View Drive and Circle Drive. "Upon arrival, officers made contact with individuals at a residence where they discovered one person had been shot and was pronounced deceased at the scene," according to a statement from the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department.
Initially, investigators believed "an unknown assailant had entered the home during a suspected home invasion, shooting the deceased victim before fleeing the scene." Because of that, a reverse 911 call went out to residents advising them to stay in their homes while officers searched for the gunman. However, after questioning people at the residence, it was determined that "the theory of an unknown perpetrator was incorrect, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted."
The family member was arrested for investigation of murder and aggravated assault. Police only confirmed that the suspect was a "minor" but declined to release the age, sex or any other information about the suspect. There were several children in the home when the shooting occurred, police said.
