Tayah Giles Killed on Her 26th Birthday in Farmington Area Shooting; Fiancé Severely Wounded

CASTLE ROCK TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Tayah Giles, a 26-year-old mom of two, was fatally shot on Christmas Eve at a rural home near Farmington. Her fiancé, identified by family as DeMarco Jones of Saint Paul, was found seriously injured and rushed to a hospital after deputies answered gunfire calls just after 2:20 p.m. on Dec. 24. �

Neighbors and relatives described the scene on 250th Street West, just off Highway 3, as shocking and heartbreaking. When Dakota County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found Giles dead at the home and Jones with life-threatening wounds. Law enforcement says the public faces no ongoing danger. �

Friends at The Buckboard Restaurant in Lakeville, where Giles worked as a server, said holiday cheer quickly turned to tragedy when word spread of her death. The Christmas Eve shooting has rattled the close-knit community, especially since it occurred on her birthday. �

A GoFundMe page set up by loved ones is helping raise money for funeral costs and support for her two young children. In messages shared online, family members remember Giles for her warmth, love for her kids and her bright presence in their lives. �

Investigators haven’t released a full timeline of events, but law enforcement says the case is being looked at as a possible murder followed by an attempted suicide. Officials have not publicly confirmed who fired the shots or the exact sequence of what happened inside the home. �

remains hospitalized, and his condition has not been made public. Friends, family and neighbors have been sharing prayers and updates on social media, asking for privacy as the injured man fights to recover. �

Sheriff’s officials are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. As the investigation continues, community members are left grappling with loss and trying to make sense of a joyful season turned tragic. �