Sheridan Police Shoot Armed Man After Shots Fired Toward Officers

Early Sunday morning, a domestic disturbance in Sheridan, Wyoming, escalated into an officer-involved shooting. According to the Sheridan Police Department, officers responded to a call around 3:20 a.m. reporting a woman in distress and a threat that “someone wanted to kill her baby.”

When officers arrived, they attempted to contact an individual involved in the incident. That person initially exited a home, then quickly retreated back inside. Moments later, “several shots came from the house in the direction of officers,” the department stated in a release. The male then emerged again, carrying a long gun, and advanced toward the officers. In response, the officers “engaged the male and shot him.”

The wounded man was transported to a hospital for emergency care. No officers were injured during the confrontation. The involved officers have been placed on standard administrative leave, and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has been asked to probe the shooting, following department policy.

This marks the second officer-involved shooting in Wyoming within a week. Earlier last Monday, a Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot and injured a man in Rock Springs after a disturbance in which the man reportedly first shot himself.

DCI will conduct a full investigation and then hand its findings to the local county attorney or a special prosecutor, who will determine whether the use of force was justified or if criminal charges are warranted. In Wyoming, it is rare for an officer involved in an on-duty shooting to face criminal charges. Under state law, deadly force is permitted if a reasonable person believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or another person, regardless of whether the danger is real or only apparent.

As of Sunday morning, no further details about the injured man’s condition or the events leading up to the initial distress call have been released. The investigation is ongoing.