News briefs from around the state

Deputy shot, suspect killed after robbery at LCCC

CHEYENNE (WNE) — A sheriff’s deputy is in the hospital and a suspect has been killed following a call to the authorities about an alleged robbery of a student at Laramie County Community College, local officials said Saturday night. 

Earlier in the day, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office was investigating an alleged robbery and assault of a person at LCCC, according to LCSO Capt. Don Hollingshead. 

Then, at about 2:25 p.m., deputies “contacted a suspect in the area of Cahill Park” regarding the alleged crime, said a news release from the sheriff’s office. 

A very brief and low-speed vehicle chase ensued, and after the suspect pulled over, there was an apparent exchange of gunfire, Hollingshead said in a phone interview. 

The shooting took place in approximately the 3500 block of Miles Court, Hollingshead said. The area remained a crime scene into the evening, though public safety was no longer a concern. 

The deputy who was shot was in the ICU at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and was in stable condition, the sheriff’s office said. 

“The injury is very lucky in that how it hit him, it did not hit any major organs,” the sheriff’s captain said. “He is going to be fine.” 

The Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the deputy-involved shooting. Such shootings are rare in Cheyenne. The last time a deputy was shot locally was in 2011, Hollingshead said. Likewise, he said, “it has been years” since a suspect was shot by a deputy.

Man dies after high-speed chase

CHEYENNE (WNE) — A 66-year-old man died Thursday afternoon following a high-speed pursuit that crossed from Wyoming into northern Colorado, the Colorado State Patrol said. 

At about 2:45 p.m. Thursday, the Colorado State Patrol began pursuing the vehicle, which was traveling south on U.S. Highway 85. 

Scanner traffic indicated speeds reached 118 mph during the chase, which extended for many miles. 

Master Trooper Gary Cutler of CSP said the man had been wanted for a parole violation out of Minnesota, and had previously been in jail for murder. His name has not been released. 

According to a CSP news release about the incident, a Colorado state trooper and Ault, Colorado, police officer deployed “stop sticks,” a tire deflation tool. The suspect continued to drive south, but then swerved into a CSP vehicle, causing the CSP vehicle to roll. 

The pursuit came to an end in Weld County when the suspect’s vehicle left the road and went into a drainage ditch, the release said.  The suspect died from injuries caused by the crash, and it’s believed he was not wearing a seatbelt. 

A Colorado state trooper sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was taken to an area hospital as a precaution, but Cutler said Friday afternoon that the trooper had been released. Highway 85 was closed for about three hours following the pursuit, Cutler said. 

The Wyoming Highway Patrol began the pursuit, but it was unclear Friday where in Wyoming the chase started and why it was initiated in the first place.

Gillette News Record sold to Wyoming publisher

GILLETTE (WNE) — The Gillette News Record has been sold to independent publisher J. Louie Mullen of Buffalo.

Mullen bought the newspaper from the Kennedy family, which has been involved in the News Record since 1970.

Mullen, owner of Blackbird LLC, has newspapers in eight states, but his roots remain in Wyoming. He lives in Buffalo with his wife, Dr. Lisa Mullen, and their two daughters. Both of Mullen’s parents are involved in newspapers, and his two brothers also own newspaper companies.

Mullen’s newspaper interests include publications in Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Idaho, Washington, Michigan and Oregon.

The Kennedy family partnered with Jack and Chris Nisselius in the News Record in 1970 and bought the newspaper from the Nisseliuses in 1991. 

The News Record has been a part of the community since 1904. It is the longest operating local business in Gillette.

The sale was effective Friday.