Haynie Family Murders
Familicide Mass Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Grantsville, Utah
TIME PERIOD
January 17, 2020
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On January 17, 2020, in Grantsville, Utah, 16-year-old Colin Jeffrey "CJ" Haynie committed a familicide, shooting and killing his mother and three siblings, while injuring his father. The attacks began around 1:00 PM, with Haynie first targeting his mother and 12-year-old sister, followed by his 15-year-old sister and 14-year-old brother upon their return home. Haynie's father was shot in the leg when he arrived home around 6:15 PM but survived after wrestling the weapon away from his son. Haynie was charged as an adult with multiple counts of aggravated murder and attempted murder, ultimately pleading guilty on July 19, 2022, and was sentenced on July 12, 2023, to five consecutive sentences of 25 years to life in prison. The incident marked the deadliest mass shooting in Utah since 2007 and has led to community memorials and discussions on gun safety.
Colin Jeffrey "CJ" Haynie's actions are theorized to stem from a combination of mental health issues and familial tensions, with some speculating that he may have been influenced by a desire for control or revenge against his family. Investigators believe that the premeditated nature of the attacks, as he waited for his siblings to return home, indicates a calculated plan rather than a spontaneous act of violence. There are also discussions about the potential impact of social isolation and the pressures faced by adolescents, which may have contributed to his drastic decision.
The Haynie Family Murders: A Dark Day in Grantsville
On a chilling winter day in Grantsville, Utah, a town unaccustomed to violence found itself thrust into the spotlight for the grimmest of reasons. On January 17, 2020, the Haynie family home became the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in Utah since the 2007 Trolley Square tragedy. Sixteen-year-old Colin Jeffrey "CJ" Haynie forever altered the lives of his family and his community, executing a plan that unfolded over five harrowing hours.
A Day of Horror
The afternoon began with a gruesome act of familicide. Around 1:00 p.m., CJ Haynie took a handgun and shot his mother and 12-year-old sister. The initial reports indicated that they were shot multiple times in the head, neck, and upper body, marking the beginning of a methodical killing spree that would leave four family members dead by day's end.
As the hours ticked by, CJ lay in wait for his other siblings to return home. His 15-year-old sister arrived sometime between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., only to be met with the same fate. She was shot five times in the head and chest. The violence continued when his 14-year-old brother came home at approximately 5:17 p.m., suffering a fatal gunshot to the head.
The horror culminated when CJ's father returned around 6:15 p.m. Despite being shot in the leg, he managed to wrestle the weapon away from his son. During this confrontation, CJ chillingly confessed, as reported in charging documents, that his intention was to kill everyone in the house except himself.
The carnage spared only CJ's older brother, who was away at Utah Valley University during the massacre.
Legal Proceedings
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the legal system moved swiftly. Colin Jeffrey Haynie was charged as an adult in the 3rd District Court, facing four counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, and five counts of illegal discharge of a firearm. During his initial court appearance, Haynie was remanded to a juvenile detention facility with a bail set at $4 million, and a public defender was assigned to his case.
Due to his status as a juvenile, Haynie could not be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole. Instead, he faced a minimum sentence of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole. On July 19, 2022, Haynie pleaded guilty to the charges. A year later, on July 12, 2023, the court sentenced him to five sentences of 25 years to life, with four of these sentences to be served consecutively.
Community and Aftermath
The shock of the events reverberated throughout Grantsville. In remembrance of the victims, yellow ribbons and signs appeared on trees and other objects in the neighborhood and town. The community rallied to support the surviving family members, with two online fundraisers emerging—one through GoFundMe and another via a local market.
The tragedy prompted Utah's Governor Gary Herbert to express his condolences publicly and urge gun owners to ensure their firearms were securely stored, reflecting a broader societal concern about gun safety in homes.
Grantsville, a town that had not seen a homicide in nearly two decades, was left to grapple with the aftermath of one young man's inexplicable decision to destroy his family.
Sources
For more detailed information on the Haynie family murders, visit the Wikipedia page.
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Haynie Family Murders
Colin Jeffrey 'CJ' Haynie kills his mother and three siblings, injuring his father in a mass shooting.
Father Injured
CJ Haynie shoots his father in the leg when he returns home, but the father survives and wrestles away the weapon.
Charges Filed
CJ Haynie is charged as an adult with four counts of aggravated murder and other charges in 3rd District Court.
Guilty Plea
CJ Haynie pleads guilty to the charges related to the shooting of his family.
Sentencing
CJ Haynie is sentenced to five sentences of 25 years to life, with four to be served consecutively.
On January 17, 2020, in Grantsville, Utah, 16-year-old Colin Jeffrey "CJ" Haynie committed a familicide, shooting and killing his mother and three siblings, while injuring his father. The attacks began around 1:00 PM, with Haynie first targeting his mother and 12-year-old sister, followed by his 15-year-old sister and 14-year-old brother upon their return home. Haynie's father was shot in the leg when he arrived home around 6:15 PM but survived after wrestling the weapon away from his son. Haynie was charged as an adult with multiple counts of aggravated murder and attempted murder, ultimately pleading guilty on July 19, 2022, and was sentenced on July 12, 2023, to five consecutive sentences of 25 years to life in prison. The incident marked the deadliest mass shooting in Utah since 2007 and has led to community memorials and discussions on gun safety.
Colin Jeffrey "CJ" Haynie's actions are theorized to stem from a combination of mental health issues and familial tensions, with some speculating that he may have been influenced by a desire for control or revenge against his family. Investigators believe that the premeditated nature of the attacks, as he waited for his siblings to return home, indicates a calculated plan rather than a spontaneous act of violence. There are also discussions about the potential impact of social isolation and the pressures faced by adolescents, which may have contributed to his drastic decision.
The Haynie Family Murders: A Dark Day in Grantsville
On a chilling winter day in Grantsville, Utah, a town unaccustomed to violence found itself thrust into the spotlight for the grimmest of reasons. On January 17, 2020, the Haynie family home became the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in Utah since the 2007 Trolley Square tragedy. Sixteen-year-old Colin Jeffrey "CJ" Haynie forever altered the lives of his family and his community, executing a plan that unfolded over five harrowing hours.
A Day of Horror
The afternoon began with a gruesome act of familicide. Around 1:00 p.m., CJ Haynie took a handgun and shot his mother and 12-year-old sister. The initial reports indicated that they were shot multiple times in the head, neck, and upper body, marking the beginning of a methodical killing spree that would leave four family members dead by day's end.
As the hours ticked by, CJ lay in wait for his other siblings to return home. His 15-year-old sister arrived sometime between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., only to be met with the same fate. She was shot five times in the head and chest. The violence continued when his 14-year-old brother came home at approximately 5:17 p.m., suffering a fatal gunshot to the head.
The horror culminated when CJ's father returned around 6:15 p.m. Despite being shot in the leg, he managed to wrestle the weapon away from his son. During this confrontation, CJ chillingly confessed, as reported in charging documents, that his intention was to kill everyone in the house except himself.
The carnage spared only CJ's older brother, who was away at Utah Valley University during the massacre.
Legal Proceedings
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the legal system moved swiftly. Colin Jeffrey Haynie was charged as an adult in the 3rd District Court, facing four counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, and five counts of illegal discharge of a firearm. During his initial court appearance, Haynie was remanded to a juvenile detention facility with a bail set at $4 million, and a public defender was assigned to his case.
Due to his status as a juvenile, Haynie could not be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole. Instead, he faced a minimum sentence of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole. On July 19, 2022, Haynie pleaded guilty to the charges. A year later, on July 12, 2023, the court sentenced him to five sentences of 25 years to life, with four of these sentences to be served consecutively.
Community and Aftermath
The shock of the events reverberated throughout Grantsville. In remembrance of the victims, yellow ribbons and signs appeared on trees and other objects in the neighborhood and town. The community rallied to support the surviving family members, with two online fundraisers emerging—one through GoFundMe and another via a local market.
The tragedy prompted Utah's Governor Gary Herbert to express his condolences publicly and urge gun owners to ensure their firearms were securely stored, reflecting a broader societal concern about gun safety in homes.
Grantsville, a town that had not seen a homicide in nearly two decades, was left to grapple with the aftermath of one young man's inexplicable decision to destroy his family.
Sources
For more detailed information on the Haynie family murders, visit the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Haynie Family Murders
Colin Jeffrey 'CJ' Haynie kills his mother and three siblings, injuring his father in a mass shooting.
Father Injured
CJ Haynie shoots his father in the leg when he returns home, but the father survives and wrestles away the weapon.
Charges Filed
CJ Haynie is charged as an adult with four counts of aggravated murder and other charges in 3rd District Court.
Guilty Plea
CJ Haynie pleads guilty to the charges related to the shooting of his family.
Sentencing
CJ Haynie is sentenced to five sentences of 25 years to life, with four to be served consecutively.