Casper Teen Charged In Fatal Shooting Had History Of Pointing Gun At People

CASPER — An 18-year-old charged in the fatal shooting of another teenager had a history of pointing his gun at people, a prosecutor said on Thursday.

Luka Rasmussen of Casper was bound over to Natrona County District Court by Casper Circuit Court Judge Nichole Collier in the death of Riley Jacob Sears of Casper and was ordered to be held on a continuing $500,000 cash or surety bond.

During the preliminary hearing, Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen introduced two photos taken from the cell phone of a 17-year-old witness referred in the affidavit as “TW” who lived at 4005 E. Eighth Street where the shooting on Feb. 12 occurred. The photos showed Rasmussen pointing a Glock handgun with a green laser at TW. One photo was taken on Feb. 10, two days before the fatal shooting. 

Jacobs said the photo showed TW taking a low-angle camera view of Rasmussen in the same bedroom where Rasmussen allegedly shot Sears

“The defendant is pointing a firearm with a green laser back at (TW),” he said.

Another photo from Jan. 23 showed Rasmussen pointing the weapon at the same teen as he stood over him.

Wound ‘Off Right Eyebrow’

Casper Police Detective Leonard Jacobs said police were first called to the house on East 8^th Street around 9 p.m. on Feb. 12 on report of a “traumatic injury.”

They found the body of Riley Sears laying on his side in a second-floor bedroom with a single gunshot wound “just off his right eyebrow.” The bullet had gone through his head, a gaming chair, curtain and glass door, Jacobs testified.

Police recovered a “single firearm” adjacent to Sears with the magazine ejected and the chamber empty, Jacobs said. They found the .40-caliber Glock in the backyard between a shed and the fence with the magazine ejected and the chamber empty, he said.

Additionally, Jacobs testified that police found a third firearm in a grate inside a grill. He said the gun was associated with TW.

“That gun is being investigated as stolen in 2024,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs testified that the police found evidence that marijuana or THC was being used in the bedroom, through a vape pipe as well as other marijuana paraphernalia.

During an interview with TW conducted the day after the shooting, Jacobs said TW told police he picked up Rasmussen from work. They later went to pick up Sears from his residence. TW also drove Rasmussen to his residence to get his pistol and THC, Jacobs said.

Jacobs told the court that TW told police prior to the incident, Rasmussen had pointed his pistol at Sears and that “while the firearm is pointed at Sears the firearm goes off.”

“After about five seconds Riley collapsed to the ground,” Jacobs said TW told police.

Rasmussen’s Explanation

Jacobs said Rasmussen told police that he was going to take a photo of his pistol and got distracted and “goes to sit down and the firearm goes off.” He said Rasmussen told police he did not believe he had a round in the chamber and may have “accidentally” chambered another round.

Jacobs testified that TW’s sister told police she had seen Rasmussen with the pistol on another occasion and told him he was “acting carelessly handling that firearm.”

Defense attorney Marty Scott questioned Jacobs about the trajectory of the bullet and how police’s laser tools at the scene “showed it to be in line with Rasmussen’s explanation of events.”

“Mr. Rasmussen told law enforcement it was in his lap when it went off, is that right? Scott asked.

Jacobs said the trajectory “actually came from farther up” and the bullet’s path through the chair, drape and window was “more of a flat trajectory” than one angled upwards.

During closing arguments, Itzen told the judge that the evidence showed that “the defendant was smoking marijuana and pointing his gun at the deceased. He said Rasmussen had similar behavior two days earlier with the other teen.

“The idea of recklessness comes into play with the smoking of marijuana and playing with firearms,” he said.

Bond Maintained

After Collier found that the evidence was enough to bind Rasmussen over to district court for trial, Scott asked the judge to consider lowering the $500,000 cash or surety bond to $100,000.

“He’s only 18 and does not have a criminal history,” he said. “He has a job and does not appear to be a flight risk.”

Scott asked the judge to include a stipulation on the bond that Rasmussen not possess firearms.

Itzen argued for the $500,000 bond to remain given the “severity” of the case and the use of a controlled substance. He also asked that the firearm stipulation be added to it.

“I think bond is appropriate,” he said.

Judge Collier agreed, citing the severity of the case and the “safety and security” of the community

“I will keep bond the same,” she said.

The involuntary manslaughter charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.