Daily Darwin

[{"type":"text","text":"\"No, don't worry, the tractor is supposed to do that...\""}]

Darwin 2 8 24

Cowboy State Daily is Wyoming’s largest newspaper with Wyoming’s most experienced journalists. 

<title>Daily Darwin: Thursday, February 8, 2024 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

"No, don't worry, the tractor is supposed to do that..."

Daily Darwin: Thursday, February 8, 2024

 "No, don't worry, the tractor is supposed to do that..."

Mac Watson

Daily Video News

It’s time to take a look at what’s happening around Wyoming for Thursday, August 13th.  I’m Mac Watson.

This newscast is brought to you by the Wyoming State Fair. Wrap up your summer at the Wyoming State Fair, August 11th through the 15th in Douglas!

Rodeo, Demolition Derby, live music, entertainment and fair food await. Learn more at W-Y State Fair dot com. See you at the fair! This ad was paid for by Converse County Tourism.

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A Tinder date gone horribly wrong ended with a Newcastle man dead with a hollow-point round in his chest and a South Dakota man facing a second-degree murder charge. Cowboy State Daily’s Greg Johnson reports that authorities say there’s vastly different stories from the couple who had just met for a hook-up.

“According to the investigators, she said she wanted to go back to this guy's place, get some of her stuff. She told him, ‘Hey, look, wait in the car, but listen, if you hear me yell come, come get me.’ The guy from South Dakota said that he heard her yell for help three times. So he grabbed the gun that was in the console of his car, went up to the trailer, and according to his account of it, the man was holding on to the woman. He said that the other man was trying to drag her into the trailer. Then he said he fired once the guy in the chest watched him stumble into the trailer and fall on the floor.”

If convicted of second-degree murder, Drake Alexander Ingalls could get anywhere from 20 years to life in prison, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

Campaign finance reports filed Tuesday show Eric Barlow out-earned Megan Degenfelder in the gubernatorial primary election with a little over $1.5 million, while Degenfelder posted nearly $1.3 million. Cowboy State Daily’s Clair McFarland reports that the whole gubernatorial race shows a roughly $3 million haul.

“Barlow earned the most money and spent the most money and had the most in donations. Degenfelder was not far behind. I think with a haul of like 1.21, point 3 million. These are historic figures. You know, Gordon, Mead. I think we were looking at half million or less in recent cycles, and so this is shaping up to be a very expensive governor's race. But also a lot of the ads, like the TV ads, and the attack pieces are not from these campaigns. So all this $3 million is not counting these outside packs that are bringing now millions to attack these candidates.”

Gov. Mark Gordon posted $541,577 in contributions in his 2022 primary election report and $155,846 in 2018. Former Gov. Matt Mead posted $100,052 in contributions in the 2014 primary election.

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An accident involving multiple motorcycles and a WYDOT truck has resulted in one reported fatality and multiple serious injuries on U.S. Highway 14-16-20 near Cody. Cowboy State Daily’s Andrew Rossi reports that one witness said, “I counted at least three bodies that I could see lying on the ground, not moving.”

“One person was pronounced dead at the scene. One was life flighted to a hospital in Billings, and three others were transported to Cody Regional Health via ambulance with severe injuries. The driver of the WYDOT truck was not injured, and based on the initial information that we have, it looks like the truck was just clipped at the very end of the accident. So whatever happened, it was primarily with the four motorcycles and the pickup truck.”

At 9:38 a.m., the Wyoming Department of Transportation closed all lanes on U.S. Highway 14/16/20 near Wapiti due to the crash.

If you need gas while traveling on Wyoming Highway 220 near Independence Rock, get ready to pay through the nose for it. Cowboy State Daily’s Kolby Fedore reports that gasoline is selling for $6 a gallon at one station.

“A remote gas station in Muddy Gap is charging $6 a gallon. Now this is significant because it's 40% higher than the statewide average of $4.24 a gallon, but for motorists that live in the area, their option is to pay the price or travel 40 miles in either direction for cheaper gas. Gas station attendant Taviana Lozier says people complain all the time. One motorcyclist that I talked to said he has to stop at Muddy Gap, but he only buys enough fuel to get him to Casper.”

The lonely station sits at a crossroads connecting travelers headed toward Rawlins, Casper, Lander and Riverton.

I’ll have more news from Cowboy State Daily right after this.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"   "}]

Cowboy State Daily News continues now….

A Casper man faces prison time after authorities say he drove a side-by-side while intoxicated and caused a passenger to fall off a cooler in the back. Cowboy State Daily’s Dale Killingbeck reports that the passenger is on life-support after sustaining head injuries in the fall at Alcova Reservoir.

“A 37-year-old Casper man is facing a charge related to what police say was driving while drunk over in Alcoa, Wyoming. He told police that he had had a few a shot and a couple beers, and then he changed that to say that he had a couple shots and more beers and more more drinks after that. The man, along with two men as passengers and two women, took off in his Polaris RZR. And according to one of the women, who apparently, according to the affidavit, spoke to the driver and said, ‘Hey, this guy fell off.’ Then his passenger in the back fell off and apparently injured his head. And when police arrived, he was bleeding, was taken to the hospital, and was placed on life support.”

Michael Ray Watts is charged with DUI causing serious injury, and if convicted, could face up to 10 years in prison.

Dozens of residents packed the meeting room and hallway at a meeting of the Platte County Planning and Zoning Commission in Wheatland on Tuesday night. Cowboy State Daily’s Kate Meadows reports voices were raised as citizens shared their concerns about a massive data center project. 

“The commission made it clear that you know they're not there to talk about whether we're for or against data centers. They said you know they're coming. They haven't seen an application yet, but there is a proposal for a huge piece of land in Platte County, right near the Goshen County line. Voices got raised multiple times over people wanting to comment publicly, but public comment not really being taken. People grew frustrated because they said by the time the public hearing happens in September. Major decisions will have already been made.”

a data center and power generation complex was proposed

 for 5,344 acres of ranchland northeast of Wheatland in Platte County near the Goshen County line.

A violent storm ripped through southern Campbell County on Wednesday afternoon. Cowboy State Daily’s Kolby Fedore reports officials are still assessing the damage and waiting for confirmation if heavy winds or a tornado was the cause of the destruction.

“Authorities say a possible tornado touched down in southern Campbell County on Wednesday afternoon. Campbell County Fire Marshal Stuart Burnham said that multiple buildings lost roofs, a camper trailer was tipped over, as well as a mobile home. Officials are reviewing footage that people have captured, and then they will send that to the National Weather Service to confirm if it was in fact a tornado.”

The storm struck near Rattlesnake Road and South Highway 59 shortly after noon, leaving pieces of roofs and other debris scattered across the rural landscape.

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Thanks to lower temperatures and light rain Wednesday, the Weiser Knoll fire near Lander was 30% contained and another blaze at Fort Washakie has been fully contained. Cowboy State Daily’s Mark Heinz reports that the Weiser Knoll Fire remains at 16,500 acres burned.

“Fire officials are saying that rain isn't enough to make the difference with the fire, but the cooler temperatures are certainly helping. It sounds like they've got it 30% contained. I think the latest update was around 16,500 acres, but what the BLM told me this morning, they've kind of got it restricted into its perimeter, so in other words, it's not growing anymore.” 

The fire, the largest of the summer so far in Wyoming, prompted an evacuation order for residents in the Twin Creek Drainage area, east of Wyoming Highway 28. 

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And that’s today’s news. Get your free digital subscription to Wyoming's only statewide newspaper by hitting the Daily Newsletter button on 

 - and you can watch this newscast every day by clicking Subscribe on our 

 channel, or listen to us on your favorite podcast app.  Thanks for watching - I’m Mac Watson, for Cowboy State Daily.

News image 8 13 26

<title>Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, August 13, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Thursday's headlines include:
* Tinder Date Turns Fatal
* $6 A Gallon Gas In Muddy Gap
* Barlow Earns Most $$ In Gov Race

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, August 13, 2026

Coy Knobel

Don Day Weather

Rain likely, areas of smoke in much of Wyoming on Thursday. A chance of rain overnight. Highs mainly in the 70s and low 80s. Lows from the upper 30s to near 60.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" "}]

Rain likely, patchy smoke before 3 p.m. today with a high near 80 and rain likely before 1 a.m. overnight with a low near 55.

Chance of rain, patchy smoke, partly sunny today with a high near 82 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain, patchy smoke and a low near 54.

  Rain likely, gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 78 and rain likely overnight with a low near 55.

  Rain likely, mostly cloudy today with a high near 71 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight and a low near 45.

   Rain likely, partly sunny today with a high near 78 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain mainly before 10 p.m. and a low near 49.

 Rain likely today with a high near 72 and mostly cloudy overnight with rain likely and a low near 36.

 Rain likely, patchy smoke before 4 p.m. today with a high near 71 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain, patchy smoke after 3 a.m. and a low near 43.

 Rain near certain, patchy smoke before noon today with a high near 75 and rain near certain overnight with patchy smoke after 10 p.m. and a low near 45.

  Rain likely, patchy smoke before 2 p.m. today with a high near 71 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before 1 a.m., patchy smoke after 2 a.m. and a low near 38.

 Rain likely, areas of smoke today with a high near 69 and rain likely overnight with patchy smoke after 4 a.m. and a low near 46.

  Rain likely, patchy smoke before noon today with a high near 74 and rain likely overnight with patchy smoke after 11 p.m. and a low near 43.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

:  Rain likely after noon, patchy smoke, partly sunny today with a high near 69 and mostly cloudy overnight with rain likely, patchy smoke and a low near 37.

Chance of rain, areas of smoke, becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 82 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain, patchy smoke and a low near 54.

:  Rain likely, areas of smoke, partly sunny today with a high near 76 and rain likely overnight with patchy smoke and a low near 54.

  Chance of rain, areas of smoke, becoming cloudy in the afternoon today with a high near 84 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with rain likely, patchy smoke, a low near 55 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph.

   Rain near certain, areas of smoke today with a high near 75 and rain likely overnight with patchy smoke and a low near 57.

   Areas of fog before 9 a.m., rain likely, patchy smoke today with a high near 80 and mostly cloudy overnight with rain likely, areas of fog after 9 p.m. and a low near 52.

:   Rain likely, patchy smoke today with a high near 75 and rain likely overnight with patchy smoke before 9 p.m., areas of fog after 9 p.m. and a low near 52.

Chance of rain, partly sunny today with a high near 77 and wind gusts as high as 26 mph. Rain likely overnight with a low near 55 and wind gusts as high as 26 mph.

   Chance of rain, partly sunny today with a high near 75 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with rain likely, a low near 58 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

:  Chance of rain, becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 80 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Rain near certain overnight with a low near 54 and wind gusts as high as 18 mph.

  Chance of rain, gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 80 and cloudy, becoming partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain and a low near 60.

   Chance of rain, gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 76 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Cloudy, gradually becoming partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain, a low near 56 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

  Rain likely, areas of smoke today with a high near 79 and rain near certain overnight with patchy smoke and a low near 52.

   Rain likely, partly sunny today with a high near 75 and cloudy, becoming partly cloudy overnight with rain likely before midnight and a low near 57.

  Rain likely, partly sunny today with a high near 74 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight and a low near 52.

  Rain likely, becoming cloudy in the afternoon today with a high near 75 and cloudy, becoming partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight and a low near 58.

   Chance of rain, partly sunny today with a high near 76 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain and a low near 55.

   Rain likely, partly sunny today with a high near 77 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain and a low near 49.

   Rain likely, becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon today with a high near 75 and mostly cloudy overnight with rain likely before 2 a.m. and a low near 48.

Daycap small 8 13 26

<title>Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Thursday, August 13, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Thursday, August 13, 2026

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, Dale Killingbeck

Dale Killingbeck

Crime & Courts

A Gillette man faces eight felony charges related to alleged sexual assaults and beatings he gave a woman, during which he reportedly called her his “little beat victim.”

Luke K. Busca is charged with five counts of sexual assault in the first degree and three counts of strangulation of a household member stemming from his alleged actions recently against a woman who had been living with him at his residence for a month, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing Tuesday before Gillette Circuit Court Judge Greg Steward.

Court officials released Busca's name late Wednesday after using his initials during the hearing.

The five sexual assault in the first degree charges all carry a penalty of not less than five years or more than 50 years in prison. The strangulation of a household member charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Gillette Police Department Detective Sgt. Ryan Mahylis testified Tuesday that when police initially contacted the woman Aug. 1 at a friend’s residence they found her with a black eye on the right side of her face and injuries along her left jawline. She also had bite marks and bruises, and was complaining about pain to her abdomen and rib area.

Mahylis said the incident on the evening of July 31 started with an argument about incense burning in a sink. Busca told the woman that he was going to a friend’s home. When he returned around 2 a.m., he found the door locked and became angry.

Once in the bedroom, Mahylis told County Attorney Nathan Henkes, the woman said Busca made sexual advances that she refused. He then allegedly grabbed her by the hair and threw her face down on the bed, put her in a choke hold and began to sexually assault her from behind with his fingers.

Mahylis testified that the woman told police after the sexual assault she was able to kick him off but during the struggle he tried to hit her and then head-butted her. She was then told to leave the residence.

“She had indicated that she had no ability to leave due to not having a ride and Busca had indicated to her that people have been shot for not leaving a residence,” Mahylis said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Message To Friends"}]

The victim then left the residence and walked to a park, where she tried to contact friends and was unsuccessful. About 3:30 a.m. she received a message from Busca to return to the residence.

Mahylis testified that police officers confirmed the victim had sent messages as well as photos of her injuries to others.

The woman returned to the residence, where it “became a continuation of the previous assault,” Mahylis said.

The woman told police he tried to force her to perform oral sex on him and then grabbed her by the hair and threw her on the bed. While she was in a chokehold, he allegedly used his fingers to assault her sexually and then turned her over and raped her, Mahylis testified.

Mahylis said the woman was told to stop fighting and when he threw her on her back to assault her sexually he also placed his hand around her neck and continued to strangle her. At some point, the woman told police, Busca asked her if she knew how easy it would be for him to “break” her neck.

The two then eventually fell asleep and the woman woke up and remained at the residence. She told police she was doing laundry when Busca woke up and told her that “he didn’t get to finish” and “wanted her to finish him,” referring to a sexual act, Mahylis said.

Mahylis said the woman also noticed a firearm that was normally on a nightstand and asked if he had thought about “murking”, or killing, her.

“He had indicated that he thought about it,” Mahylis said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"'My Little Beat Victim'"}]

Mahylis also confirmed that as part of the conversation between the two after Busca awoke, he asked the woman: “How is my little beat victim? Did you learn your place?”

Gillette police learned of the incident after being called to the house of one of the woman’s friends Aug. 1, when she reported the incident.

The woman was taken to Campbell County Memorial Hospital for an examination by a qualified SANE nurse to obtain any evidence of a sexual assault. The woman complained of pain and vaginal bleeding, Mahylis said.

When officers went to Busca’s residence they found him outside. He initially told officers he had been at a friend’s house and returned about 2 a.m. He indicated he had taken medications and did not recall what happened after that, Mahylis said.

Mahylis said after Busca's arrest and a search warrant, officers searched the home and found a bottle of trazodone and a prescription for 45 pills. When they counted the pills, 45 remained in the container.

Mahylis testified that Busca changed his story and later admitted he lied about coming home, taking the medications, and passing out.

After the detective’s testimony, Henkes asked Steward to upgrade a reckless endangerment charge to strangulation of a household member. 

Defense attorney Ronald Wirthwein objected and said the affidavit did not indicate that breathing was impeded, it only referred to “shaking the throat and windpipe back and forth but no indication of an impeding of breathing or blood.”

The judge ruled the charge could be upgraded to strangulation.

Steward then told Busca he was sending the case to district court, where he would be arraigned and able to make a plea. He asked him if he had any questions.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"“No, your honor,” Busca said."}]

Gillette police scaled

<title>Gillette Man Accused Of Raping Woman, Calling Her His 'Little Beat Victim' | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A Gillette man who allegedly raped a woman and called her his “little beat victim” was charged Tuesday with eight felonies. Investigators say the woman had a black eye, bite marks, bruises, and rib and abdomen pain.

Gillette Man Accused Of Raping Woman, Calling Her His 'Little Beat Victim'

Kolby fedore

Kolby Fedore

Business & Tourism

About 20 miles southwest of Independence Rock, where Wyoming Highway 220 meets U.S. Highway 287, is the blink-and-you-miss-it outpost of Muddy Gap.

[{"type":"text","text":"There's not much there. But there is gasoline."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"On Wednesday, a gallon of regular cost $5.99."}]

"I think it's pretty ridiculous," said Casey Long, a Pavillion native who has a house in Riverton and has spent 26 years working in Wyoming's oil fields.

That price stood out even during a week when Wyoming motorists were already paying considerably more at the pump. AAA put the statewide average for regular unleaded at $4.24 Wednesday, meaning the Muddy Gap price is roughly 42% higher than the Wyoming average.

[{"type":"text","text":"The difference adds up quick. "}]

Fifteen gallons at the statewide average would cost about $63.50. At Muddy Gap, the same fill-up rings up at $90.

Yet out in the middle of nowhere, motorists don't have the luxury of shopping around.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"'Very Sparse'"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Wyoming Highway 220 runs nearly 73 miles between Muddy Gap and Casper."}]

On Wednesday, the parking lot offered a snapshot of who depends on the place.

A camper from Minnesota. An RV from Indiana. Another car with Minnesota plates.

[{"type":"text","text":"A couple of motorcyclists were there, too."}]

Ron Star and his riding companion, Nikki Knuckles, had been in South Dakota and were making their way west toward Reno, Nevada. Most places they'd encountered were charging around $4 a gallon, they said. 

[{"type":"text","text":"They knew Muddy Gap was going to be different."}]

Star said they look ahead for fuel stops because their motorcycles don't give them the option of simply driving until something cheaper appears.

One bike gets about 51 mpg, but its small tank gives it a range of about 80 miles. Typically, the riders begin looking for gasoline after 60 or 70 miles.

For Star, who frequently rides cross-country, that's part of traveling through places like Wyoming.

He said another gas station is usually within 50 or 60 miles, although he's encountered stretches approaching 80.

[{"type":"text","text":"In Nevada, he knows of a 100-mile stretch where he carries extra gas."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"'We Get Some Angry Customers'"}]

Inside the station, Tavienna Lozier hears about it from motorists "all the time."

Lozier recently moved to Jeffrey City to be near her grandmother, Nancy Nuzum, who has managed the Muddy Gap station for about five years.

Nuzum now manages the operation from home, and Lozier came to help after her grandmother needed a crew to keep the station running.

"We get some angry customers," Lozier said. "We get some that know what to expect, especially being in the middle of nowhere."

She said the station gets its gasoline from Rawlins and they are charged heavily for it.

"They charge him a lot," she said of the station's owner, who lives in Florida.

The station did not provide its wholesale fuel price or delivery costs, so it's unclear how much of the $6 retail price is attributable to transportation, operating expenses or other costs.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Going The Distance"}]

Running almost anything in Muddy Gap is different from a place like Casper.

Dozens of competing convenience stores aren't clustered around the next interchange. There isn't a large local population stopping for coffee on the way to work every morning.

[{"type":"text","text":"Instead, customers arrive from everywhere."}]

For travelers, the stop is a place to use the restroom, grab snacks or cigarettes, and pick up beer or wine before getting back on the road.

Lozier recalled recently serving travelers from Thailand whose son attends college in Idaho.

Truckers pull in, too. Some park behind the business when their driving hours run out, sleep and continue down the highway the next morning.

Summer brings recreational travelers and groups participating in pioneer treks through the historic trails country.

[{"type":"text","text":"Over the years, some travelers have literally left their marks."}]

Travelers passing through Muddy Gap have been leaving their names behind for years.

It is less a neighborhood gas station than a way station for people trying to get from one distant Wyoming place to another — a modern Independence Rock.

Lozier pointed out the names, hometowns, dates, drawings and messages scrawled across the ceiling and shelves of the store. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A Wyoming Problem"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"That dependence on the next available pump is familiar to Long."}]

His job has taken him all over Wyoming, and he still spends a lot of time on the road.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"Every day I'm going somewhere,\" he said."}]

Long drives a diesel, so his prices aren't directly comparable with the $6 regular unleaded at Muddy Gap, but he's been watching the same geographic swings.

He said he filled up in Riverton at $5.09 a gallon for diesel, then noticed the price there had jumped to $5.25 the following day.

If he's traveling and encounters an unusually expensive station, Long said he'll keep going — provided the fuel gauge gives him that choice.

"If I'm traveling and I've got enough in the tank to make it somewhere else, I will," he said.

[{"type":"text","text":"That's the catch in Wyoming."}]

In Riverton, Long said, avoiding local prices could mean driving 24 miles to Lander or heading the other direction toward Shoshoni.

"You do because it's either that or you're driving 24 miles to Lander or going to Shoshoni the other way," he said of paying the local price.

[{"type":"text","text":"But paying $5.99 for a gallon is \"just insane,\" said Long. "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"In A League Of Its Own"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Gasoline isn't cheap anywhere in Wyoming right now."}]

AAA's $4.236 statewide average Wednesday was up from $4.153 a week earlier and $3.877 a month ago. Diesel averaged $5.283.

Even within Wyoming, geography matters. AAA's county averages Wednesday ranged from about $3.87 in Goshen County to $4.72 in Teton County.

[{"type":"text","text":"That puts $6 well beyond even the expensive end of the county averages."}]

In fact, the regular unleaded at Muddy Gap was more expensive than Wyoming's statewide average for premium gasoline, $4.83, but with the next fuel stop over 40 miles away, travelers continue to pull up at the pumps. 

Bikers at muddy gap 2 8 12 26

<title>Zoinks! Gas Is $6 A Gallon In Muddy Gap — That's 42% Higher Than Wyoming Average | Cowboy State Daily</title>

If you need gas while traveling on Wyoming Highway 220 near Independence Rock, get ready to pay for it through the nose. Gas is selling for $6 a gallon — 42% higher than the state's average. "We get some angry customers," says manager Tavienna Lozier.

Zoinks! Gas Is $6 A Gallon In Muddy Gap — That's 42% Higher Than Wyoming Average

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's managing editor, Greg Johnson.

Greg Johnson

Courts

A Tinder date gone horribly wrong ended with a Newcastle man dead with a hollow-point round in his chest and a South Dakota man facing a second-degree murder charge — and vastly different stories from the couple who had just met for a hook-up.

The woman Drake Alexander Ingalls of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, had driven nearly 90 minutes to meet this past weekend told investigators that Ingalls “did not need to shoot that gun at all.”

Ingalls, however, says he shot the other man in defense of his Tinder date after the woman screamed for “help” several times, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Zack Miller.

The shooting happened a little before 5 a.m. Sunday, and Ingalls had his initial court appearance Tuesday, where a Weston County Circuit Court judge gave him a $250,000 cash-only bond and set an Aug. 19 preliminary hearing.

By the time Newcastle police responded to the home of the victim, identified in court documents as Jason Greene, he was lying face-down on the floor and obviously dead, wrote Miller.

Daily Darwin: Thursday, February 8, 2024

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