Lauren Kanerek was shot by former Olympian Michael Barisone, who was her horse trainer.
Imagine a former Olympic athlete pulling the trigger on a gun. That’s what surprised many people when they heard gunshots come from a Long Valley, New Jersey, horse ranch in August 2019.
Lauren Kanarek began living with her boyfriend Rob Goodwin at Michael Barisone’s horse farm after paying $5,000 per month to board and train at the farm. Barisone is a former Olympic horse riding champion.
Michael Barisone represented the USA in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as one of the country’s best dressage riders. After that, he became a top-level coach and trainer for other Olympians and riders.
His relationship with Kanarek broke down in the summer of 2019 over differences in how they saw their arrangement. Since then, his life has been unravelling.
Lauren Kanarek vented about Barisone on Facebook after beginning the process.
Michael Barisone was greatly affected by Lauren Kanarek’s social media posts. He believed his career and reputation were at risk, and he strongly denied the allegations. The situation at the farm got worse, and this caused a lot of concern among many people.
Kanarek and Barisone both stated they felt danger.
Barisone claims his mental health was declining because of his detractors.
Michael Barisone drove to the farmhouse where Lauren Kanarek and Rob Goodwin lived in the afternoon of August 7, 2019. Before leaving, he removed a Ruger 9mm handgun from a safe in his office.
Lauren Kanarek says Michael Barisone shot her without realizing he was holding a firearm. She says he was hiding behind a bush next to the back porch when she walked up and started talking to him. Then he lifted up the gun and shot her twice.
Rob Goodwin says he saw Barisone shoot Kanarek from the back porch. He says Barisone tried to shoot him next, but she missed.
Rob Goodwin credited Michael Barisone for being able to tackle him to the ground.
Upon taking this photograph, the first police officer on the scene observed Goodwin atop Barisone. Both had sustained significant injuries, as seen in the photo taken at the hospital after the shooting. Lauren Kanarek had already called 911 while gasping for air and suffering significant injuries.
Lauren Kanarek was immediately taken to the hospital for emergency surgery after bleeding out. Here she is pictured in the hospital with a ventilator; she says she was in a coma for four days and in the ICU for three weeks.
