All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – 21-year-old Riverton resident Richard Thunder faces four felony counts of aggravated assault and battery, due to an alleged incident occurring on October 28th, 2021.
Thunder faces these charges for reportedly firing shots at a moving vehicle, after alleged altercations that had occurred earlier in the night.
Sufficient probable cause was found at Thunder’s preliminary hearing, and as of January 4th the case moved to District Court, with an arraignment date set for January 19th.
On October 28th, a Riverton Police Department (RPD) officer was dispatched to an area business on N. Federal Blvd. for a report of a weapon offense.
Upon arriving at the scene, the officer made contact with witnesses who alleged to have heard “three or four gunshots.”
While making contact with these witnesses, the officer observed a male in a blue sweatshirt running away from the area.
Contact was later made with the driver of the vehicle, who confirmed that four shots were fired at their vehicle, with one making contact.
The driver also indicated they fled the area in the vehicle along with the three passengers after hearing the gunshots.
The officer confirmed the damage was consistent with a bullet striking a vehicle, and also learned the driver had gotten into a verbal altercation earlier that night with an individual who was reportedly associating with Thunder.
Court documents indicate the officer later learned that in addition to the reported verbal altercation between the two parties, the driver and her passengers were alleged to have driven by Thunder and his group, “throwing cans and a bottle their direction.”
It was at this point Thunder reportedly fired the shots.
Thunder’s arraignment has been set for January 19th.
The maximum penalty for an aggravated assault and battery felony charge is ten years imprisonment.
County 10 will provide more information on the case as it becomes available, which can be viewed here.