A Riverton man who fatally shot his wife after she reportedly startled him will not be prosecuted according to Fremont County authorities.
In a press release, Fremont County Attorney Patrick Lebrun announced that charges will not be filed against Mike Pitt in the Nov. 23, 2020 death of his wife, Lisa.
The shooting, ruled accidental, occurred when Mrs. Pitt startled her husband. who was taking his Glock 9-mm pistol to a gun safe in their bedroom.
“As Mr. Pitt walked past the couple’s walk-in closet, the inside of which was blocked from view owing to clothing hanging from the top of the door, Mrs. Pitt jumped out of the closet in a playful effort to scare her husband. Startled, Mr. Pitt shot and killed her,” the release reads.
“The couple’s teenage son was present in the relatively small home when the incident occurred, and confirmed that nothing was out of the ordinary prior to hearing the gun shot and subsequent yells of his father seeking help. Mr. Pitt engaged in efforts to resuscitate his wife, but she had suffered a fatal wound,” the statement said.
The statement went on to say that charges could have been filed but “there is no sense to it under these specific facts.”
“This was a devastating accident – and to prosecute such an event would add nothing to the life sentence of regret already present,” it reads.
The County Attorney said the family of Mrs. Pitt supports the decision not to press charges.
“They believe prosecution would only cause more torment for their family as they continue to support Mr. Pitt and help him finish raising the couple’s son,” the statement reads.
A fundraising campaign to help pay funeral expenses has been set-up and can be accessed here. Pitt’s obituary is located here.
