Farmington Community Mourns Tayah Giles Following Fatal Castle Rock Domestic Incident
Mother of two was killed in a Christmas Eve shooting near Farmington, Minnesota, as authorities continue investigating a tragic incident that left a young family and community in mourning.
CASTLE ROCK TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A 26-year-old woman was found deceased, and a man was seriously injured following a shooting at a rural residence near Farmington on Christmas Eve, according to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched at approximately 2:20 p.m. to a home on 250th Street West in Castle Rock Township, just off Highway 3, after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult woman who had died at the scene. An adult man was also found suffering from a life-threatening injury and was transported to a local hospital. Officials have not released an update on his condition.
Authorities stated there is no danger to the public and emphasized that the incident appears to be isolated. The case remains under active investigation, and law enforcement has not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has identified the victim as Tayah Giles, 26, a mother of two young children and a server at The Buckboard Restaurant in Lakeville. The fundraiser was launched to help cover funeral expenses and provide financial support for her children during this difficult time.
Family members and community supporters shared that Giles was killed on her 26th birthday, December 24. She is survived by her children, mother, siblings, and extended family, all of whom are grappling with the sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Investigators have indicated that the case is being examined as a possible homicide followed by an attempted suicide. While officials have not publicly confirmed the sequence of events or named a suspect, family members identified the injured man as DeMarco Jones of Saint Paul, who was engaged to Giles and is the father of her children.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact investigators as the inquiry continues. No further updates were available as of Friday evening.
This remains a developing story and will be updated as more verified information becomes available.
