A young Alaska couple died in a shocking double tragedy after police say a 22-year-old man accidentally shot his girlfriend while “playing” with a revolver, then used another gun to shoot himself as a friend desperately tried to intervene.
CloeRae McBrayer, 21, was killed Wednesday night, Sept. 16, at a home in Fairbanks. Her boyfriend, Landon Lowrance, 22, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Fairbanks Police Department.
Police said a friend called 911 around 9:12 p.m. and reported that Lowrance had accidentally shot McBrayer.
Investigators said Lowrance had been handling a revolver and pointed it at McBrayer when it discharged, striking her. Police have described the shooting as accidental based on the evidence gathered so far.
The friend remained on the phone with dispatchers while officers were on the way.
During the call, dispatchers could reportedly hear a disturbance in the background. Police later said the friend tried to physically stop Lowrance after he obtained another firearm, but Lowrance shot himself before officers arrived.
McBrayer was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lowrance was rushed to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in critical condition and later died. The friend who called 911 was interviewed by detectives and is not believed to have been involved in either shooting.
Fairbanks police called the case a “tragic and preventable loss of life” and used the incident to stress basic gun-safety rules.
Deputy Chief Richard Sweet told Alaska’s News Source that every firearm should be treated as though it is loaded and should never be pointed at another person outside of a lawful self-defense situation.
The tragedy was made even more devastating by what McBrayer’s family says the couple had been planning.
Her mother, Amanda Hooper, said McBrayer and Lowrance had been talking about getting engaged that weekend. McBrayer’s older sister said the family had already begun talking about their wedding.
McBrayer, who was born and raised in Alabama, had recently been accepted to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and planned to pursue a career in teaching.
Her mother remembered her as outgoing, funny and deeply connected to her family.
“She’s the sunshine of the family,” Hooper told Alaska’s News Source.
Friends and relatives also remembered McBrayer as someone who loved singing, sports, pageants, fashion and helping other people.
A fundraiser was created to help transport her body back to Alabama for funeral services, while the University of Alaska Fairbanks offered assistance to her family with travel expenses.
Hooper also said she did not blame Lowrance’s family, describing the situation as a tragedy for both sides.
Fairbanks police said the investigation remains open pending the medical examiner’s findings, although investigators believe they have a clear understanding of what happened because much of the aftermath was captured during the 911 call.
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