California brothers attacked by mountain lion, one fatally, identified

(KTXL) — A family from California has identified the two brothers who were attacked by a mountain lion over the weekend.

In a statement from the family provided through the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, Taylen Brooks, 21, and Wyatt Brooks, 18, from the Mount Aukum community, were identified as the victims of the attack.

Taylen Brooks died in the encounter with the animal on Saturday afternoon. His brother is recovering from the attack and has had 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," reads part of the family statement.

The brothers are described as enjoying hunting and fishing together, and spending a lot of time outdoors.

Taylen worked alongside his father painting houses and cutting firewood, and was a talented guitar player, and Wyatt has been in the Mt. Adams Fire Academy since September 2023 and aspires to work with CAL FIRE, the statement continues.

The family statement also included a link for the Brooks Brothers Support Fund, which will help the family pay for funeral services for Taylen and the recovery of Wyatt.

The attack happened in an area southeast of Georgetown, about 55 miles northeast of Sacramento.

According to the sheriff's office, the two brothers were shed hunting, which is searching for antlers dropped by deer, when they were attacked.

Wyatt was able to get away from the animal and called emergency services.

Later that night, officials from El Dorado County and the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife euthanized a mountain lion in the area, which was later confirmed to have been the animal that attacked the two brothers.