In the small community of Tonto Basin, Arizona, the life of 51-year-old Terri Lou Haught, a White female, came to a tragic end on the evening of Monday, June 22, 2020. Just a day after her family was allowed to return to their home following an evacuation due to the formidable 'Bush Fire,' a call reporting shots fired summoned Gila County Sheriff's deputies to their residence near Bar X Road shortly before 9 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Terri inside, fatally wounded by a single gunshot.
The immediate investigation into the shooting led to the arrest of her 49-year-old husband, Destry Alan Haught. Reports from investigators suggested that the incident did not appear to stem from an argument or fight. Destry had reportedly been out with friends earlier in the day, gathering cattle and other livestock. After returning home, he fired a rifle while in the kitchen, and the shot struck and killed his wife. The shooting was reportedly witnessed by several people.
In the wake of the tragedy, Destry Alan Haught was taken into custody and booked into the Gila County Jail on a manslaughter charge. The legal process that followed concluded with Destry Alan Haught being sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for the shooting death of his wife. Terri, who was known for her deep community involvement, including co-founding the Tonto Cowboy Church, was laid to rest in Deer Trail, Colorado, beside her parents and brother.
