According to Cowboy State Daily, the adolescent who was accused of unintentionally shooting his friend in the head with a firearm as they were gaming and using marijuana entered a not guilty plea to the charge of involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday.
The judge denied the defense’s plea to have Luka Wade Rasmussen’s bail reduced to $100,000, meaning the 18-year-old must stay in jail on $500,000 bond. According to reports, the teen’s Wendy’s coworkers sent a statement vouching for his reputation, which public lawyer Marty Scott mentioned. However, District Attorney Dan Itzen acknowledged the gravity of the indictment and made reference to the allegation that one of the three firearms found on the property was reported stolen in the summer of 2024.
On February 12, 2025, the victim, 16-year-old Riley Jacob Sears, moved into the Casper, Wyoming, residence with Rasmussen and a teenager. According to officials, they smoked marijuana and played video games, but Rasmussen pulled out a revolver at one point, and it detonated.
The juvenile witness stated that Rasmussen was pointing the gun toward Sears, notwithstanding the defendant’s purported assertion that he had the revolver resting on his thigh when it went off. In court, prosecutors displayed images of Rasmussen brandishing the gun at the adolescent witness on two different occasions. Two days before to the deadly incident, on February 10, the latter photo was taken.
According to the police, Rasmussen was instructed to “get rid of the gun” by the third teen’s father.
Police noted, “Rasmussen claimed he fled to the shed from the rear door on the main floor of the house.” “Rasmussen claimed he did not remember taking out the magazine or handling the gun, and he threw it behind the shed.”
The gun was discovered behind the shed, according to the police.
Teen in Casper, Wyoming, shooting case pleads not guilty.
