SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah — An 8-year-old boy was found dead inside a Saratoga Springs home on Friday, with police adding that the boy's mother is in extremely critical condition.
Saratoga Springs police received a call to the home in the area of 1200 Willowbrook Lane just after 10 a.m. from a 17-year-old girl who discovered her stepbrother and mother after just arriving home.
Police shared that both the boy and the woman were covered in blood when they were found. An update provided on Sunday revealed that they were both shot.
The 8-year-old was identified as Eli Painter, and the other victim was his mother, 44-year-old Jessica Lyman. She was still in critical condition as of Sunday.
A 15-year-old boy was also in the home at the time of the incident. Both teenagers were not injured and are currently with their father.
Police said the woman is the mother of all three children.
As of Sunday, police said they are still working to identify possible suspects.
Full police briefing below after child found dead in Saratoga Springs:
Police added that there was no danger to the public.
Jayden Bradley, a neighbor of the family, said he often saw the boy playing outside and was in disbelief over this death.
"Working with kids of all ages, hearing that an eight-year-old who died, younger than you’re ever supposed to, just hurts my heart a bit," Bradley said.
As the investigation continues, officials said they would be combing through door camera videos to look for any information that will help determine what happened inside the home, along with using police dogs.
