CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper Police Department has issued a statement on a police involved shooting incident that left one dead, and one injured Friday morning.
At about 7:00 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a reported kidnapping on South Jefferson Street in Casper. Reports said a person was being held against their will at gunpoint by multiple people.
Officers reportedly announced themselves at the front door of a private Casper residence, and then forced their way inside. Shots were fired, with bullets coming through a bedroom door, police said.
“An exchange of gunfire took place and officers gained entry into the bedroom,” Casper PD spokesperson, Rebekah Ladd, told reporters on scene.
The Tuesday Casper Police Department release follows:
On Friday, August 7th , 2020, Casper Police Officers responded to an apartment complex in the area of 2200 block of South Jefferson for a report of a kidnapping.
Information came into the Casper-Natrona County Public Safety Communications Center that an adult female was being held against her will, at gunpoint, inside an apartment.
Upon arrival, officers searched for the apartment in which the incident was occurring. While doing this, officers evacuated several apartments to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those nearby.
After searching, officers located the apartment in which the female was believed to be being held. Officers identified themselves and, through their trained crisis intervention techniques, attempted to communicate with those inside.
Ultimately, to save the life of the kidnapped woman, officers forced entry into the residence and, shortly after entering, were fired upon. Officers returned fire and safely evacuated several of the individuals inside the residence, uninjured.
Officers assisted the kidnapped woman outside and rendered immediate aid to stop her bleeding which was sustained from gunshot wounds.
She was quickly transported by ambulance to the hospital and has since been released.
One suspect was killed during this incident.
Miraculously, no officers were injured.
The criminal aspects of this incident remain under investigation by the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Due to the involvement of weapons being discharged by Casper Police Officers, DCI is investigating the exchange of gunfire during the incident.
In accordance with the Casper Police Department’s protocol and dedication to the standards of our profession, four of the officers involved in Friday’s incident have been placed on paid administrative leave.
This action has been taken out of an abundance of caution, pending a full investigation by DCI. 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.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available from these agencies.
The Casper Police Department is dedicated to the protection and safety of our community through the highest standards
of professionalism in police services. Casper Police Department statement Aug. 11, 2020
