Lauren Kanarek Shooting: What Happened in the High-Profile Equine Case
The Lauren Kanarek shooting refers to a 2019 violent incident involving former Olympic equestrian trainer Michael Barisone and his student, Lauren Kanarek, at a horse training facility in New Jersey.
According to court records and reporting, Kanarek and her fiancé were living and training at Barisone’s property when a long-running dispute escalated. The conflict reportedly involved tensions over training arrangements, housing, and personal disagreements that had already drawn multiple police visits to the farm prior to the shooting.
In August 2019, Barisone shot Kanarek twice in the torso at the training facility. She survived the attack after emergency medical treatment and surgery. Kanarek later recounted calling 911 immediately after being shot and described the event as a life-threatening ordeal.
Barisone was arrested and charged with attempted murder. However, during the 2022 trial, his defense argued he was suffering from a severe mental breakdown at the time of the incident. The jury ultimately found him not guilty by reason of insanity.
The case has continued to attract public attention due to its unusual circumstances, the involvement of a former Olympic-level coach, and ongoing disputes between the two parties. It has also been featured in true-crime documentaries and media coverage examining the events leading up to the shooting.
Summary: The Lauren Kanarek shooting was a 2019 New Jersey case in which a dispute between a trainer and student escalated into gun violence, leaving Kanarek seriously injured but surviving, while Barisone was later acquitted by reason of insanity.