Casper Police Safely Recover Child After Armed Standoff

A weekend standoff in Casper ended with an 18-month-old girl safe and a 19-year-old man in custody.

Casper Police Officers were dispatched to an area of Casper where they made contact with the 19-year-old, who was armed with multiple firearms inside the residence, and refused to exit to speak with law enforcement. Police confirmed that the 18-month-old was also in the apartment.

Police established a perimeter, notified neighbors as a precaution, and brought in a trained negotiator with the Natrona County Sheriff's Office. Attempts were made to establish contact with the suspect over several hours.

At times during the standoff, the suspect appeared at the door armed, and at least one time appeared holding the child while gripping a handgun and challenging police. The situation threatened the safety of the baby and the officers involved.

The press release from the Casper Police Department stated that due to the subject's repeated threatening behavior while armed, his apparent intoxication, his refusal to cooperate, and the ongoing endangerment of a child in his custody, officers sought and were granted a warrant for his arrest.

Before entering the apartment, the police noticed the man and child were asleep on the floor, giving them a chance to enter without issues. Upon entering, the child was immediately removed safely, and the man was taken into custody.

A firearm was found under the sleeping man, and multiple firearms, drug paraphernalia, and broken glass were found inside the apartment.

After an assessment from the Department of Family Services, the little girl was released to her mother, and the man was taken to the Natrona County Detention Center and booked on multiple charges.

As in all cases, charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Casper Police Department is dedicated to the protection and safety of our community through the highest standards of professionalism in police services.

CPD has released body-cam footage of the event.

Casper Policewomen Make up 18% of City's Sworn Officers

At CPD, women make up about 18% of the sworn officers, higher than the national average of 14% for local police departments (Bureau of Justice Statistics, Local Police Departments, 2020).

Officer Schulz, a K9 officer, shared what drives her to serve, “I’m motivated by the opportunity to change my city for the better for my family and friends who live and work here."

Officer Brackenrich, who serves both as a patrol officer and Evidence Technician, spoke about the importance of growth in the profession, “Patience is crucial in this line of work, and confidence comes with experience and learning from challenges along the way.”

After graduating college, Detective Husted put herself through a police academy, before joining CPD, “I pursued a career as a police officer because I wanted to have a job where every day was a little different. I am motivated to support my fellow officers continue to help victims receive the justice they deserve.”

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media