Casper Police Department Identifies Officer Involved In Shooting On Tuesday
The Casper Police Department released the name of the officer who was involved in the shooting that resulted in the death of a 21-year-old Casper man on Tuesday.
Officer Craig Burns is a five- year veteran with the department and is a field training officer, a public information officer and a member of Patrol Team 3, according to a news release from Police Lt. Jeremy Tremel on Thursday afternoon.
The incident started at 5:37 a.m. Tuesday when officers responded to the 500 block of Granite Peak Drive on the east side of Casper for the report of a man who threatened individuals with a firearm there. By the time officers arrived, the suspect identified Thursday as William T. McCollum, left the scene.
He was seen less than 10 minutes later, but was able to elude officers.
Half an hour later, the vehicle was seen in Evansville and law enforcement began to chase the car as it re-entered Casper, traveling west at a high rate of speed on East Second Street toward downtown. Police ended the chase because of a potential threat to the public.
At 6:31 a.m., an off-duty Natrona County Sheriff's deputy reported the suspect vehicle was parked at the Loaf 'N Jug store at CY Avenue and Kit Carson.
The news release said Burns, in full uniform and driving a marked police vehicle, was driving to work, heard the report on the radio and went to the convenience store.
Burns contacted McCollum, who was armed with a firearm, and the officer-involved shooting ensued.
The department, per its policy, has turned over the case to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The DCI will ultimately release the results to the Natrona County District Attorney's Office.
Tremel said in an email that issues about details of the incident, including whether McCollum fire his weapon, will be investigated by the DCI.
Tremel also said Burns has been placed on administrative leave.
The Police Department said in the news release that it is grateful no other officers or residents were injured, and acknowledges the grief of McCollum's family.
It also commended the Sheriff's Office, Casper Fire-EMS, the Natrona County Coroner's Office, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Wyoming Homeland Security, and the Wyoming Medical Center for their assistance.