Mother of Two Killed in Apparent Murder-Suicide Attempt on Christmas Eve Near Farmington
A 26-year-old Minnesota mother of two was killed in a possible murder-suicide attempt on Christmas Eve near Farmington, authorities said.
A 26-year-old mother of two was killed and a man was seriously wounded in a shooting that authorities are investigating as a possible attempted murder-suicide on Christmas Eve in Castle Rock Township, near Farmington, Minnesota, officials confirmed.
According to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 2:20 p.m. on December 24 to reports of gunfire at a rural home in the 250th Street West area, just off Highway 3, approximately three miles south of Farmington. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a woman deceased inside the residence from an apparent gunshot wound.
A man was also found at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a local hospital and remains alive, though officials have not released information regarding his condition. Authorities have not publicly identified the man, confirmed who fired the shots, or clarified the relationship between the two individuals. The sheriff’s office described the incident as a possible murder-suicide attempt, noting that the investigation is ongoing.
A GoFundMe fundraiser later identified the victim as Tayah Giles, a 26-year-old mother of two young children. Giles was described as a hardworking and devoted parent who worked as a server at The Buckboard Restaurant in Lakeville. The fundraiser was created to assist with funeral expenses and to support the care of her children following the devastating loss.
By December 25, donations had poured in from community members, friends, and loved ones, raising nearly $7,000 toward the campaign’s $9,000 goal. Messages on the fundraising page described Giles as kind, loving, and deeply committed to her children, with many expressing shock and heartbreak over her sudden death on a holiday meant for family and celebration.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Officials have urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact authorities as the case remains under active review.