During the course of a domestic violence incident, a Casper Police Officer discharged their weapon, resulting in a non-life-threatening injury to the suspect.

The suspect sustained a non-life-threatening injury and received immediate medical care. The suspect was later released from the hospital and was booked into the Natrona County Detention Center.

No law enforcement officers were injured as a result of this incident. No other injuries have been reported.

On Monday, May 30, 2022, Casper Police were conducting an ongoing domestic violence investigation. In an attempt to serve an arrest warrant, law enforcement was confronted by an armed suspect and, in response, a Casper Police Officer fired his weapon. The suspect then barricaded himself inside the residence.

For over an hour, officers were able to peacefully negotiate with the suspect. Ultimately, the suspect complied with the officers’ instructions and was taken into custody without further incident.

In accordance with the Casper Police Department’s policy, due to the use of force action, the investigation has been turned over to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations, a third-party State agency, to ensure a thorough and independent investigation.

In accordance with the Casper Police Department’s customary protocol and dedication to the standards of our profession, the one officer involved in this incident has been placed on paid administrative leave. This action has been taken out of an abundance of caution, pending a full investigation. This protocol is in place to ensure the integrity of the investigation as well as to safeguard the mental health of the officers after a traumatic event.

The Casper Police Department remains steadfast in our efforts to maintain transparency and public confidence concerning the actions of our officers. Developing details about the incident and the ultimate findings of that investigation are the knowledge of the investigating agency until the investigation reaches a conclusion, at which point the investigating agency will notify the Casper Police Department. The determination concerning the justification of the discharge of weapons is the decision of the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office following the conclusion of the investigation.

In addition to this investigation, the Casper Police Department Internal Affairs Division conducts a concurrent and separate investigation concerning Department policy and procedure.

Upon conclusion of these findings and decisions, the Casper Police Department will hold a timely public news conference to discuss the incident and investigation findings.

The Casper Police Department is dedicated to the protection and safety of our community through the highest standards of professionalism in police services.