DCI says it’s talked to the two people tied to Wyoming Capitol bomb scare

Oil City News, News Letter Journal, and Wyoming Tribune Eagle contributed to this report.

The Wyoming State Capitol is back to business, and investigators say they’ve now identified and contacted the two people tied to last week’s bomb scare that prompted an evacuation.

What started as reports of a possible IED on Oct. 21 turned out to be something far less sinister: a deconstructed live firework with a fuse. A pedestrian found the object on the big state seal outside the Capitol facing 24th Street, then brought it inside, where troopers were alerted and the building was cleared. The nearby Herschler Building went into shelter-in-place as the Highway Patrol, Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, and a joint bomb squad swept the scene with K-9s and drones. DCI bomb technicians moved the device off-site and rendered it safe.

After releasing surveillance images and asking the public for help, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation announced Oct. 24 it had identified two subjects of interest. By Monday, DCI said both had been contacted. “Public cooperation was vital,” the agency said, thanking residents and businesses for tips, images, and video from the early hours of Oct. 21. Investigators say there’s no indication of an ongoing threat. Motive and potential charges haven’t been released; the case remains open.

The scare also echoed in Lander the next day. Police there received an emailed threat referencing Wyoming Catholic College. Out of caution, officers — working with state and federal partners — secured “affected” areas and carried out a thorough search. No devices were found, and the email was deemed a hoax similar to others seen along the East Coast. Lander PD says it treats every threat seriously and is still investigating; anyone with information on the sender should call 307-332-3401.

The Capitol remained closed for the rest of Oct. 21 but reopened the next day. For now, officials’ message is steady: the situation is under control, the public isn’t in danger, and patience is needed while investigators finish the job.