On February 12, 2025, at approximately 9:09 p.m., a 911 call reported a shooting in the 4000 block of East 8th Street in Casper, Wyoming. Officers arrived to find a Bi-racial male, age 16, with a gunshot wound inside the residence; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Natrona County Coroner later identified the victim as Riley Jacob Sears, a Bi-racial male, age 16, of Casper.
Investigators determined the people present knew one another and had been hanging out that evening.
According to an affidavit cited in local reporting, the group was in an upstairs bedroom playing video games when an 18-year-old produced a handgun; the firearm discharged and struck Riley Jacob Sears, a Bi-racial male, age 16.
Initial scene work with a laser trajectory tool described a generalized bullet path through the right side of the victim's head, through a gaming chair, and out a glass door—details that in early filings were said to align with aspects of the suspect's account. Evidence collected included marijuana/THC paraphernalia in the room.
Police reported finding multiple firearms at the residence, including one later described in court as reported stolen the previous summer. An affidavit summarized in news coverage states the homeowner told the 18-year-old to “get rid of the gun” after the shooting, and the handgun was recovered outside behind a shed.
A witness later told detectives that the 18-year-old had been pointing the gun at the Riley when it fired; prosecutors also presented photos in court showing the 18-year-old pointing a pistol at the teen witness on prior dates. Throughout these accounts, the victim is identified as Riley Jacob Sears, a Bi-racial male, age 16.
An 18-year-old, identified in court records and reporting as Luka Rasmussen, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Riley Jacob Sears, male, age 16; of mixed ethnicity. Bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety following his initial appearance, and he was later bound over to district court. On April 1, 2025, he pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter; authorities have not announced any additional suspects.
