A man working on a Verizon cell tower was shot in the thigh Thursday while three U.S. Air Force members were shooting targets on federal land outside Guernsey, Wyoming, the local sheriff says.
Platte County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday to a shooting incident near Warm Springs Trace outside Guernsey, says an overnight statement by Platte County Sheriff David Russell.
The deputies didn’t have much information initially because of temporary cellphone service issues in the area.
The first deputy on scene found three men shooting on Bureau of Land Management property, says the statement.
Another man who’d been working on a Verizon cell tower had been shot in the left thigh. Emergency responders life-flighted him to a Cheyenne hospital.
“Thankfully, his injuries were not as severe as initially thought, and he was released from the hospital to schedule surgery at a later date,” Russell wrote.
The statement says the three men, all U.S. Air Force members, had been shooting at targets with 9 mm handguns and .223-caliber rifles.
The investigation is ongoing, evidence has been collected for processing, and “it will take time to determine who is the individual at fault in this situation,” wrote Russell.
The sheriff said there’s no danger to the public, and the three target shooters have given their contact information and are cooperating with authorities. They’ve been told to stay in the area during the investigation.
“We’d like to remind everyone to practice firearm safety at all times,” wrote Russell. “While shooting firearms can be an enjoyable activity, it’s important to be aware of your target and what’s downrange.”
Shooting incidents that go awry can pose potential criminal consequences and can cause life-altering injuries, he added.
Russell did not immediately respond Friday morning to a voicemail request for additional information.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
