News briefs from around Wyoming

Man shot, killed by Gillette police

GILLETTE (WNE) — A man was killed in a police shooting in Gillette Monday afternoon.

Officers responded to the 500 block of East Lincoln Street for the report of a man, who has not been identified, shooting a handgun in the street.

When officers arrived, they saw the man with the gun. He refuses multiple requests to drop the gun, according to a press release from the City of Gillette.

They tried subduing him with a taser but were unsuccessful. They kept asking him to drop the weapon then he pointed it at them.

“At least one” officer fired and hit the suspect, the press release said.

Life saving measures were performed and he was taken to Campbell County Memorial Hospital where he died.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal investigation is reviewing the incident and the Gillette Police Department said no more information will be released until the DCI investigation is finished.

The involved officers, who have not been identified, were placed on paid administrative leave.

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Man accused of stabbing another in the face

JACKSON (WNE) — A Jackson man was arrested March 15 after allegedly stabbing another man in the face.

Manuel Vargas, 25, faces one count of aggravated assault and battery, one count of false imprisonment and one count of interference with a peace officer. The charges of aggravated assault and battery and interference with a peace officer are felonies; each carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. 

The incident occurred March 15 at 6:13 a.m. when two Jackson police officers were dispatched to the White Buffalo Club for a report that someone was stabbed in the face.

The officers arrived and located a manager for the White Buffalo Club standing with two males. One of the males — identified as Vasanthraj Narayana, who reported the incident — was holding what appeared to be a bloody cloth to the left side of his head. The other male, identified as Vargas, was standing near the doorway to a residence and had what appeared to be blood on his shirt and pants.

According to the police affidavit, Vargas told Officer Alex Ayling when he first arrived that Narayana had provided him with a place to live, referencing the unit outside of which they were standing. Vargas told officers he was trying to defend himself when Narayana got mad at him while Vargas was cooking. 

While officers were interviewing Vargas, Narayana was transported to the hospital, where he received six stitches in his face, between his left eye and ear. Vargas confirmed that he was not hurt during the encounter.