Two families have experienced a living nightmare after a mother horrifically shot and killed her children.

Tranyelle Harshman, 32, opened fire at her daughters, aged between two and nine, inside their home in Byron, Georgia, US, on Monday, tragically killing three and leaving one critically injured. Moments after the horror attack, she phoned the police to inform them she was about to take her own life, and they would find her in the bedroom.

Sisters Jordan, aged two, Brooke, aged three, and nine-year-old Brailey died in the shooting, and seven-year-old Olivia was left fighting for her life. According to Harshman’s husband, Cliff, she had been struggling with post-partum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Locals and loved ones have rallied around the victims’ families.

Authorities were alerted to the situation after receiving reports of gunfire within the residence. A woman believed to be Harshman called the police and told them her daughters had been shot. She said the girls were in their cribs and revealed her intentions to shoot herself. The call handler pleaded with the woman to remain on the line, but she stated multiple times that she could not do that and it was too late. “Multiple attempts to keep her on the line failed and the call was disconnected,” local police said.

Police entered the home and found two of the young girls dead with gunshot wounds to their heads, according to reports. One of the younger girls and her half-sister, Olivia, were found with wounds. Tragically, the youngster died from her injuries, and Olivia was rushed to hospital alongside her mum. Harshman later died from gunshot wounds.

Her friend, Briana Baker, has pleaded with the public to be kind and said: “You never know what someone is struggling with inside of their mind. Tranyelle was not the monster this tragedy makes her seem to be. Her loved ones don’t want her to be remembered for her darkest moments. She was sweet, loving, and funny. Her children were her main focus in life.”

Mayor Allen Clark said the shooting has hit the local community hard. He commented: “When you’re in a small community like this, you know, everyone rubs shoulders with everyone. It’s just devastating. I just hope and pray that the family can endure and hopefully, brighter days ahead.”

Tranyelle was married to Cliff Harshman and shared the two youngest girls with him and the two older children with her ex-husband, Quinn Blackmer. Both men are grieving their immense losses and have rallied together. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Cliff “in his darkest hour”, which has so far raised $100,000 (£80,000).

A post reads: “Tragedy has struck, leaving us shattered and heartbroken. Cliff Harshman, a devoted husband and father of four beautiful daughters, has suffered an unimaginable loss: the passing of three of his precious girls. One still fighting in Salt Lake, please pray for her. This devastating event has left Cliff and his loved ones reeling in grief, struggling to come to terms with the immense void left in their lives. The financial burden of funeral expenses, ongoing family support, and other related costs only adds to their pain.”

In an interview with Cowboy State Daily, Cliff weeped: “My wife was not a monster”, and told how she had been suffering from multiple mental health disorders, including depression, and was receiving treatment. He said it was “so out of character” and described his wife as a loving mother. “As angry as I may be with her, I still love her — and I still lost her as well,” he said.

The paper reported that the two dads, Cliff and Quinn, didn’t get along well following Quinn’s divorce from Tranyelle, but are leaning on each other for support now. Explaining how Quinn is helping to juggle the painful logistics of losing his wife and kids, Cliff said: “I was thankful for [Quinn].” Quinn also voiced gratitude for Cliff and said he has been constantly asking about Olivia and praying for her.

A separate fundraiser has been set up for Olivia’s treatment and to support Quinn and his wife, Katelynn Blackmer. It has so far raised $71,000 (£56,000). It reads: “If she does pull through this, she and the family have a very long road ahead of them, a lot of unknown right now. This loss and hurt is unimaginable. Please rally around Quinn and Katelynn as they prepare to bury one daughter and beg and pray that the other survives this horrible tragic event.”

The page describes Quinn and Katelynn as a young family and says they have a one-year-old son. It describes Olivia and Brailey as “precious souls with the biggest hearts”. Some of Quinn’s loved ones have taken to Facebook to spread the message and pay tribute to the devoted dad. One person, who describes themselves as a long-term friend, shared: “Please donate if you’re able, and pray for his family and especially his sweet daughter Olivia who is still in critical condition.”

Speaking to Cowboy State Daily, Quinn said: “I need the world praying for my baby [Olivia], I need her to pull through. I don’t have my (older) daughter any more and this is all I have left.” Quinn said his wife, Katelynn, has been an “absolute rock” in taking care of him and their son.

If you feel like you could be affected by depression and need to speak to someone, Samaritans are available 24/7 by calling 116 123 or by emailing [email protected].

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