Tyler Sadowski loved his sister 17-year-old Makayla Sadowski so much that he lost his life protecting her. The 20-year-old man stepped in to shield his sister, who is seven months pregnant, when her boyfriend showed up October 1, 2025, at the family’s home in Barron, Wisconsin, with apparent ill intent. The boyfriend, who was not named, allegedly shot and killed Tyler Sadowski and shot and injured Makayla Sadowski and her unborn child. Now their family is praying for a miracle for the teen mother and her baby.
According to a news release, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department and Rice Lake Police Department responded to a home at 650 Candy Lane after receiving a 911 call about shots fired. When they arrived, they found Tyler Sadowski deceased and Makayla Sadowski injured. They also found the suspected gunman with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency responders performed life-saving measures on Makayla Sadowski and the suspect before they were taken away for further medical treatment.
Following the incident, police shared some disturbing information: The suspect allegedly posted a video of the homicide on Snapchat. They also confirmed, however, that there was no further threat to the public and that they were working with the social media platform to have the video removed.
The victims’ cousin, Shanay Conyers, shared a scary account of the shooting with KARE.
“They came home from town, and Makayla walked inside the house, and they heard like a pop, so Tyler went to go see what was happening,” Conyers said.
“Tyler was probably the nicest, sweetest person you would ever meet. Always a smile,” Conyers recalled to KARE. “The most contagious laugh. He wouldn’t have ever hurt a person. So, to hear out of everyone it was Tyler is really hard.”
She said the expectant mother has undergone multiple surgeries to save her life and that of her unborn baby, who was delivered two months early.
Isela Sadowski, another cousin of the victims, created a GoFundMe account to help with the ongoing medical expenses and funeral costs.
“In a heroic act of love, Tyler stepped in to protect his sister. In doing so, he lost his life. Tyler was only 20 years old, a young man full of kindness, laughter, and light,” Isela Sadowski wrote.
“He was the sweetest son, brother, and uncle, always ready to lend a hand, always putting family first. Losing him has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled,” she added.
The family also hopes to raise money to care for Makayla Sadowski’s young daughter.
“She is now in the hospital fighting for her life, while her baby boy also fights for his,” Isela Sadowski wrote. “At home, she has a 2 year old toddler who needs her love and care, and our family is doing everything we can to hold her up through this nightmare.”
This is far too much tragedy for one family to contend with. Hopefully, Makayla Sadowski and her unborn baby will make a miraculous recovery, and the family can begin to work toward putting this nightmare behind them. The suspect’s condition remains unclear.
