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Sheriff: Mother Shot And Killed 9-Year-Old Son, Then Shot Herself

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Routt County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a mother who allegedly shot and killed her 9-year-old son and then turned the gun on herself.

It happened in their home near Stagecoach State Park, about 10 miles south of Steamboat Springs.

Deputies responded to the home at 23935 Arapahoe Road in Oak Creek about 3 a.m. on reports of a suicide or suicide attempt.

When they arrived Michael John Kirlan told deputies that his son was dead and that his wife, Lisa Marie Lesyshen, was upstairs with a gun.

Kirlan told deputies that Lesyshen shot their son, Asher Lesyshen-Kirlan.

ASHER-LESYSHEN-KIRLAN-STEAMBOAT-PILOT-TODAY-PIC
Asher Lesyshen-Kirlan (credit: Steamboat Pilot Today, Joel Reichenberger)

Deputies entered the home and found Asher, 9, dead. They also found Lesyshen unconscious and wounded by a single gunshot wound. She was rushed to the Yampa Valley Medical Center for treatment.

The Routt County Sheriff confirms the incident is being investigated as a homicide. Other agencies assisting with the investigation include the 14th Judicial District Attorney's Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

There is no information on whether Lesyshen has been arrested or what charges she may be facing.

A crisis team was sent to Asher's elementary school, Soda Creek Elementary School, before classes began on Wednesday. The team informed the parents of Asher's classmates about his death and helped prepare them for discussing the incident with their children.

Some parents left the school with their children others opted to leave their children in class for the day.

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