West Valley City Family Tragically killed with 1 survivor

Most recent family statement here, initial information below.

Murray, Utah – January 8, 2025 – Since being critically injured in the tragedy that claimed the lives of his parents and siblings, 18-year-old Sha Reh has made steady progress in his recovery. His family writes and shares the following statement:

“Sha Reh is our miracle and our hero. He was hospitalized in critical condition with a gunshot wound to his head on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. During the intervening three weeks, Sha Reh has progressed from the shock trauma unit at IMC to a regular hospital room to now being in rehabilitation.

“While Sha Reh cannot remember the tragic events of that December night, his short and long-term memory have improved significantly since first being hospitalized. He is able to vocalize his emotions, feelings, and needs. He has made tremendous progress with the physical, occupational, and speech therapies offered to him by professionals.

“Regrettably, he has experienced what medical professionals refer to as ‘new vision loss.’ At present, he cannot see. At times, he can discern when a room is light or dark, but such episodes are sporadic and inconsistent. His head and his brain are still healing from the trauma of the gunshot wound. Medical officials do not know if or when he will recover his vision.

“With the gift of time and additional miracles, we have hope that he will recover his vision, but we are prepared to support him in any event. As a family, our faith is in Jesus Christ, not specific outcomes. We know that Sha Reh and our family will be supported and ultimately delivered from this trial.

“Sha Reh is aware of and has expressed sadness over the circumstances of his family members’ deaths. Despite his incomprehensible loss, he has stated that he feels ‘hopeful’ regarding the future. Incidentally, the day of his parents’ and siblings’ funerals was also his 18th birthday.

“Upon his release from IMC, Sha Reh will be cared for by his aunt, uncle, and cousins, who have maintained a bedside vigil since he was first admitted to the hospital. He will likely enroll in the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind so that he can learn critical life skills in preparation to live independently.

“At the time of the shooting, Sha Reh was an honors student at Granger High School, with a cumulative GPA of 3.9. He has a strong desire to enroll at the University of Utah during the fall semester of 2025. Remarkably, he has completed all the requirements for graduation from high school.

“As a family, we are grateful for the generous support of the people of Utah, and others who have learned of Sha Reh’s story. These funds, and others that we know are forthcoming, will help with current and future known and unknown medical needs, assist his new family with a larger vehicle to fit them all, and will also enable him to fulfill his dreams and live his life with purpose. While there are still unknowns regarding his complete recovery, we are confident in his desire and ability to overcome, adapt, succeed, and thrive.

“We also express support for the many medical professionals, school administrators, counselors, teachers, fellow students, friends, and others who have cared for him and visited him in the hospital, bringing the gifts of their spirits and the loving kindness of others. The family and friends need privacy as they work through a lot of known and unknown variables that will need to take our time and attention right now.

“We are grateful for the many expressions of support and the love that we have felt from everyone who has been touched by this tragedy. We are eyewitnesses to a young man who possesses exceeding faith and the many miracles that come from that kind of faith. We are all better people because of Sha Reh.”

"5 dead 1 injured in West Valley City Shooting" Cassidy Wixom, KSL

"Like all of you, we were shocked to learn of the tragic and untimely deaths of 4 of our family members at the hands of their husband and father. We condemn all forms of abuse and violence, especially abuse and violence against innocent women and children.

The victims, their ages, and their relationships are:

Bu Meh 38, mother

Sha Reh 17, son

Boe Reh 11, son

Kristina Ree 8, daughter

Nyay Meh 2, daughter

Sha Reh is the lone survivor in his immediate family after a tragic sense of violence. He has a long and complex road to recovery. He needs our full attention, our unconditional love, and the Savior's gift of healing and peace.

“Our family is cooperating with local law enforcement to better understand the motive behind these senseless acts of violence. While the perpetrator of these heinous acts is deceased, we know that God’s justice is not.

“Our hearts ache for the loss of life and potential. Bu Meh was a beautiful wife and mother. She brought light to her family. She worked hard to provide for them and to meet their needs. As a refugee and immigrant woman, she faced significant hurdles to her family’s well-being and success.

“Over ten years ago, she fled a violent situation in her home country of Myanmar, where her people were being ethnically cleansed by their government. She came to the United States with her husband and young family with little more than the clothing on their backs.

“Since coming to the United States, she taught herself English, learned valuable skills, and worked tirelessly to support her growing family. Her dream was to one day own her own home and to live comfortably alongside her husband and their four beautiful children.

“After moving into their own home and finally enjoying a level of prosperity far beyond the nightmare of their former country or the refugee camp in Thailand in which they lived for a season, and for reasons that we cannot comprehend, her husband robbed her and their children of that security and their very lives.

"However, we do not wish to dwell on the circumstances of their deaths. As a family, we have felt unspeakable peace. We have more questions than answers, but our faith and our trust in a living God and in His Son Jesus Christ sustains us."

Donated funds will be used to assist Sha Reh with his complex road to recovery. He will need access to resources to help offset funeral, medical, mental health, trauma support and counseling, and future living costs, including funds to help him obtain his goal of going to college and transition to his new version of life.

DONOR MESSAGE UPDATE

We truly are grateful for each of your financial donations that have been received for this family. It is amazing how many are coming together and sharing during this holiday season to make this families burden lighter. As you can imagine this is a very heavy weight that the extended family and Sha Reh (17) have been left with and every little bit helps.

We are witnessing so many miracles and blessings with everyone's assistance, kindness and love shown towards this family. We can't begin to thank the many first responders, investigators, counselors, doctors and all medical staff, teachers, administrators, neighbors, friends donators, reporters, mortuary staff, church leaders, as well as the prayers of the countless unnamed supporters and so many more.

We are hoping and deeply grateful that this family will continue to get this kind of kindness and support for the coming days, months and years especially for Sha Reh who still has a very long road to recovery and healing. We are continuing to see improvement with Sha Reh and pray we will continue to see many more miracles with his recovery.

I am the owner of this fundraiser Michelle Schmidt. I am a close family friend of the victims as well as the family where Sha Reh will be living now. This money will be placed in to a personal account of Sha Reh's for use only for funds for his purposes for needs mentioned above. Thank you for your support!