Casper Man Accused Of Putting Loaded Gun To Pregnant Girlfriend’s Head

A 30-year-old Casper man is accused of pointing a loaded gun at the head of his eight-months-pregnant girlfriend, firing a round into the wall, and threatening to shoot her dog—then denying the charges and urinating in a police department trash can.

Tyler James LaPlatney made his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court Monday on charges including two counts of aggravated assault, property destruction and possession of a controlled substance.

According to court records, police were called to Banner Wyoming Medical Center around 12:30 a.m. Saturday after a pregnant woman sought treatment for an assault at her home in the 1600 block of South Elk Street.

The woman told officers she had been living with LaPlatney for two years, entering a relationship about two months before she became pregnant. After that, she said, LaPlatney continued drinking excessively, partying and seeing other women. He told her he didn’t want to continue the relationship, and she began looking for a new place.

Around midnight Friday, she arrived home with food. LaPlatney awoke from the couch, insulted her, then tried to take her soda and phone, dumping the soda on her and throwing her food on the floor. When she said she was trying to move out, he picked up a black handgun from the coffee table, “cocked it,” and fired a round into the wall above the front windows, the affidavit states.

He then cocked the gun again and pointed it at her face, telling her he would shoot her if she didn’t leave.

When she tried to call his mother, LaPlatney threatened to shoot her 12-year-old Labrador mix. He went into her room, took the dog off the bed, and tried to throw it down the hallway. The woman ran to protect her dog, slapping LaPlatney and trying to push him out. He pushed back so hard she fell across the room, striking a fan and vomiting “dark bile.”

LaPlatney’s mother arrived and helped the woman to her car. LaPlatney followed, punching the hood and breaking a headlight.

At the police station, LaPlatney denied assaulting the woman and said he only punched a wall. He denied owning firearms, claiming they belonged to their roommate. A search found multiple guns, including a Walther 9 mm on the coffee table and a Glock 19 on the floor, along with a spent casing and cocaine residue.

While an officer left to get him water, LaPlatney urinated in a trash can, then lay on the floor.

LaPlatney has three prior convictions making him ineligible to possess weapons. Bond was set at $75,000.