Police shooting leaves one wounded

The sleepy town of Saratoga was awakened by gunshots on the night of April 27, as a member of the Saratoga Police fired upon a Saratoga resident.

Ryan Scott Simmons was shot by an unidentified Saratoga Police Officer, after Simmons reportedly threatened his family members and the officer.

According to a release provided by the Carbon County Attorney’s Office, a Saratoga Police Officer was dispatched to 101 Airport Road at approximately 10:45 p.m. to report to a domestic disturbance call.

The officer, was met by Simmons’s mother, who told the officer Simmons was in possession of a knife which had been held to her throat. She also reportedly told the officer that Simmons had attempted to stab his father.

Simmons was spotted outside of the residence with the knife in his hand. The officer reportedly told Simmons to drop the knife several times, and Simmons refused. Simmons then “lunged towards the officer, attempting to stab him.”

The officer then shot his firearm twice towards Simmons, hitting him twice in the upper-left chest area.

Saratoga Police Chief Tom Knickerbocker contacted Carbon County Sheriff Jerry Colson, as well as the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). DCI, which has taken control of the investigation, secured the crime scene alongside the Carbon County Sheriff’s Deputies. The crime scene was processed by the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory analyst.

Simmons was first transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins, then flown to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Cheyenne for treatment. As of May 1, he is in stable condition.

After investigation, it was determined by agents that the “Saratoga Police Officer’s actions were justified and that he responded with the appropriate use of lethal force, not only to protect himself, but also the lives of others”.

The Carbon County Attorney’s Office has reportedly reviewed statutes, as well as audio evidence which recorded the incident, and determined that the officer responded with appropriate force in the protection of himself and others.

As of May 1, the Carbon County Attorney’s Office is preparing criminal charges against Ryan Scott Simmons.

 

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