(Lander, WY) – The Lander Police Department has shared that a Bakersfield, CA, man has been taken into custody for a reported stabbing incident in Lander on February 18.
County 10 has confirmed with LPD Chief Kelly Waugh that the subject has been identified as 46-year-old Joseph Church.
The LPD call log issued on February 19 states that dispatch received a call from the hospital at around 8:07 PM on Wednesday night, where a subject had claimed that they were stabbed “while leaving the Lander Library.”
On Thursday afternoon, the LPD issued the following release:
“On 2/18/2026 at approximately 8:07 pm, officers with the Lander Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing in the 400 block of N 2 St, Lander, WY. Upon arrival, officers located one adult victim suffering from apparent stab wounds. Officers immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of injuries is currently stable.
“During the investigation, officers learned that a second individual was also involved and that the suspect allegedly attempted to stab that individual during the same incident. The second individual was not injured.
“The suspect, identified as an adult male resident of Bakersfield, CA, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. He has been charged with Aggravated Assault.
“The suspect was transported to the Fremont County Jail and is currently being held. There is no danger to the community as this is an isolated event and the suspect has been arrested. This remains an active investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Lander Police Department at 307-332-3401.”
County 10 will provide updates as they become available.
(Editor’s Note: The LPD shared the following clarifications after today’s statement was released: “…We would like to clarify the initial contact was at a medical facility and reported to us from there. Also, although this is in the vicinity of the Fremont County Library, the library in and of itself was not involved.”)