All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Ethete, WY) – A suspect has been charged and now publicly identified in relation to the August 14 shooting that occurred in Ethete, which resulted in a victim sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen and a precautionary lockdown of the nearby Wyoming Indian Schools.
Dustin Trosper has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to federal Court documents that were made publicly available on September 25.
In total, Trosper faces life imprisonment, $750,000 in fines, 5 years of supervised release and $300 in special assessment fees.
On August 14, at approximately 12:50 PM, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Wind River Police Department advised FBI agents of a shooting that occurred outside of a business in Ethete, the Complaint document filed on August 16 states.
Those involved in the left the scene in two vehicles, one of which contained the victim, and the other Trosper, the Complaint continues.
BIA officers first made contact with the vehicle containing the victim, where the occupants informed the officers that the victim had been shot by “D. Trosper.”
The victim was reportedly in critical condition, and they were soon transferred to emergency medical services after officers rendered aid.
At the scene of the shooting, law enforcement collected evidence in the form of a deformed bullet, one 9mm shell casing and a “small tube possibly containing narcotics.”
Law enforcement was soon able to obtain surveillance footage from a nearby business, which reportedly showed Trosper quickly exiting the vehicle and pulling the victim out with him, the Complaint continues.
The footage showed the victim’s foot getting stuck in the vehicle while they were being pulled out, and they could be seen falling to the ground.
At this point in the footage, Trosper pointed the gun at the victim while they laid on the ground in a defensive position, and fired the gun “three to four times.”
The victim later told investigators they knew they were shot in the leg “because it went numb right away.”
The footage then showed the victim taking cover behind the vehicle before Trosper got back in and sped away, the Complaint states.
Medical staff later informed law enforcement that the victim sustained a gunshot wound that struck their pelvis, which caused a break and nerve damage in their left leg.
A warrant for Trosper’s arrest was issued on August 16, the same day a motion to seal the case was filed/granted.
Trosper’s initial appearance hearing was then held yesterday, September 24, before the Honorable Judge Teresa McKee in Lander, where his arraignment/detention hearings were scheduled for September 26.
An assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
An assault resulting in serious bodily injury felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
A using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence felony charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment (consecutive, 10 year minimum), 5 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
County 10 will provide updates on the case, which can be viewed here.