A young couple was reportedly just days away from getting engaged when a devastating incident involving a firearm suddenly ended both of their lives.
CloeRae McBrayer, 21, was killed after her boyfriend, 22-year-old Landon Lowrance, allegedly fired a revolver while handling the weapon and pointing it in her direction.
McBrayer was studying to become a teacher and had her future ahead of her. What should have been a joyful period in the young couple’s lives instead became a heartbreaking tragedy that left two families devastated.
According to the Fairbanks Police Department, Lowrance was “playing with the gun and pointing it at her” when the revolver was fired.
The shot struck McBrayer.
A friend who was with the couple immediately called 911 and remained on the phone with emergency dispatchers as the terrifying situation unfolded.
Police said the dispatcher could hear “a disturbance” taking place in the background of the call, indicating that the situation had quickly become chaotic.
The friend reportedly attempted to intervene when Lowrance picked up another firearm.
According to police, the caller “attempted to physically intervene when Lowrance obtained another firearm and shot himself.”
By the time first responders arrived, McBrayer was already dead.
Lowrance was found critically injured and was rushed to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite efforts to save his life, he died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
In a matter of moments, a young woman who had been preparing for a career as a teacher had lost her life, while the young man responsible for the shooting had also died.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have been described by authorities as a tragic and preventable loss of life.
