Casper Youth Killed Sunday Morning, Shooter Charged as Adult [AUDIO]
A 17-year-old is charged as an adult in a fatal shooting that occurred in Casper Sunday morning. Involuntary manslaughter:
Matthew Dean Campbell, of Casper, appeared in Circuit Court Monday to face charges of 2nd degree involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, and auto theft. The auto theft is a misdemeanor joy riding charge.
According to a release from the Casper Police Department, officers responded to a 9:30 am call from the 1000 block of North Kimball with the report of someone being shot. A male juvenile was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
The arrest affidavit says that Campbell was with six other youths in a room when he brandished a .45 caliber automatic handgun and bragged that it was something he took from a vehicle. He was reportedly handling the gun when he was asked to put it away. It was then that he was alleged to have said, "It's not harmful," and pulled the trigger.
The gun discharged, striking a boy sitting on a couch close-by, hitting him in head. The affidavit says that Campbell dropped the pistol and everyone ran from the room but that Campbell went back for the gun because his fingerprints were on it.
At Campbell's initial appearance, Circuit Court Judge Michael Huber invited his mother to come up from the gallery and speak on behalf of her son. She said that he has made some mistakes, but that he's not a bad kid.
Assistant District Attorney Randall Carnahan recommended a $500,000 cash bond and noted that Campbell was on probation at the time of the shooting. Campbell's mother said the bond was too high. Judge Huber set bond at 50,000 dollars cash or surety and ordered no contact with any of the witnesses in the case.