Current:Home > BackAuthorities ID brothers attacked, 1 fatally, by a mountain lion in California-InfoLens
Authorities ID brothers attacked, 1 fatally, by a mountain lion in California
View Date:2024-12-23 13:01:59
GEORGETOWN, Calif. (AP) — Authorities have identified the brothers who were attacked, one fatally, by a mountain lion in Northern California during the weekend.
Taylen Robert Claude Brooks, 21, was killed in a remote area northeast of Sacramento on Saturday in the first fatal encounter with a cougar in the state in two decades. His 18-year-old brother, Wyatt Jay Charles Brooks, survived and is expected to recover after multiple surgeries.
“We are all devastated by the tragic loss of Taylen yet thankful Wyatt is still with us and are well-aware the outcome could have been even worse,” their family said in a statement released Monday. “These two young men being as close as any two brothers could be, lived a full energetic life enjoying the outdoors.”
The Mount Aukum brothers were hunting for shed antlers near Georgetown, a small, historic town about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of the state capital. They had hunted and fished together almost daily.
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife said its wardens found the cougar and euthanized it. Mountain lions have attacked humans previously, but the last fatal encounter was in 2004 in Orange County, according to a verified list kept by the agency.
Taylen Brooks worked with his father, Aaron, painting houses and cutting firewood. A talented guitar player, he also enjoyed fishing and was remembered as a “very kind and gentle soul.”
Wyatt Brooks has been in a fire academy since September, hoping ultimately to be hired by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. His family described him as an avid baseball player and a bow-hunting enthusiast.
“A brother is a friend given by nature,” the family wrote in their statement. “These two brothers were driven by nature.”
veryGood! (2671)
Related
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- Greece fires force more evacuations from Rhodes and other islands as a new heat wave bears down
- London jury acquits Kevin Spacey of sexual assault charges on his birthday
- 'Shame on us': Broncos coach Sean Payton rips NFL for gambling policy after latest ban
- DWTS’ Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran Prove They're Closer Than Ever Amid Romance Rumors
- Taliban orders beauty salons in Afghanistan to close despite UN concern and rare public protest
- New Congressional bill aimed at confronting NIL challenges facing NCAA athletes released
- As Twitter fades to X, TikTok steps up with new text-based posts
- Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
- Lionel Messi scores two goals, leads Inter Miami to 4-0 win over Atlanta United
Ranking
- Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
- Breakups are hard, but 'It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake' will make you believe in love again
- 101.1 degrees? Water temperatures off Florida Keys currently among hottest in the world
- Dodgers bring back Kiké Hernández in trade with Red Sox
- Beyoncé course coming to Yale University to examine her legacy
- Autoworker union not giving Biden an easy ride in 2024 as contract talks pick up speed
- The biggest big-box store yet? Fresno Costco business center will be company's largest store
- Meet the world's most prolific Barbie doll collector
Recommendation
-
Bev Priestman fired as Canada women’s soccer coach after review of Olympic drone scandal
-
She did 28 years for murder. Now this wrongfully convicted woman is going after corrupt Chicago police
-
A Fed still wary of inflation is set to raise rates to a 22-year peak. Will it be the last hike?
-
DeSantis campaign shedding 38 staffers in bid to stay competitive through the fall
-
As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
-
Federal appeals court halts Missouri execution, leading state to appeal
-
Traps removed after no sign of the grizzly that killed a woman near Yellowstone
-
Florida ocean temperatures surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially a world record