Loss of wife, 3 children ‘almost unbearable,’ Grantsville father says

Jack and Holly Nelson, center, join others in prayer during a candlelight vigil for the Haynie family at Grantsville City Park on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Police say four members of the Haynie family were killed and one injured after being shot by a teenage family member on Jan. 17. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

GRANTSVILLE — Colin Haynie “can hardly comprehend what has happened,” his attorney said Thursday.

The Grantsville man lost his wife and three of his children after police say his 16-year-old son opened fire on his family last week, shooting them one by one over a five hour period. His attorney released a statement on the father’s behalf, marking the first words expressed publicly by the man since the tragic incident.

The losses, Haynie said through his attorney, David Isom, are “almost unbearable.”

“Colin has asked me to express his and the family’s profound appreciation for the support given by friends, extended community, law enforcement and health care providers. Colin was also wounded on Friday, but he expects to recover fully from those injuries,” Isom said.

Family photo

A photograph of the Haynie family, including four members killed and one injured in a shooting in Grantsville on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. The family members are, from left, Colin Haynie, his wife, Consuelo Alejandra Haynie, and their children – Matthew, Colin, Danny, Milan and Alexis.

Haynie was shot in the leg on Jan. 17 at his house shortly after arriving home. What he didn’t know at the time was that his wife, Consuelo Alejandra Haynie, 52, and three of his children, ages 12, 14, and 15, were already dead.

On Wednesday, Colin Jeffery “CJ” Haynie, 16, was charged as an adult in 3rd District Court with four counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, and five counts of discharge of a firearm. All of the charges are first-degree felonies.

After the shootings, Colin Haynie went with his son to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and his son was arrested by police.

Tooele County Attorney Scott Broadhead said Wednesday that his office had not talked to the father yet to get his side of what happened. Isom said Thursday, however, “Of course, Colin is cooperating with law enforcement and with the judicial proceedings.

“As I am sure you can understand, Colin can hardly comprehend what has happened. As he looks forward, Colin will need, and he respectfully requests, time and privacy to grieve and to heal himself and those he loves, including both of his sons,” according to the statement.

Funeral services for Alejandra Haynie and their children — Milan, Alexis and Matthew — will be held Friday at noon at the Grantsville Stake Center, 550 E. Durfee St., with an interment to follow at the Grantsville City Cemetery.

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