Juvenile Murdered

(CASPER, Wyo.) — Just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Casper Police Department responded to a reported shooting in a west Casper neighborhood near Buckboard Park. Upon arrival, the officers observed an unconscious female, later identified by the Natrona County Coroner as 17-year-old Lenea Brown of Casper, lying on the ground with an injury consistent with a gunshot wound. Law Enforcement Officers, Casper Fire-EMS, and Banner Wyoming Medical Center (BWMC) Medics responded and initiated life-saving measures and timely transport to BWMC.

The circumstances of the scene prompted an in-depth investigation; additional resources were employed to secure the scene, interview potential witnesses, and collect evidence.  Casper Police Department Officers continued to process the scene through Tuesday evening.

Throughout the investigation, Casper Police Detectives determined that multiple individuals had been in contact with the victim and the suspect that evening through social media platforms.  After observing platform conversations and interviewing witnesses, a juvenile male was interviewed, arrested, and charged with stalking and 1st-degree homicide.

Although this incident is isolated, we understand the impact has a ripple effect through our close-knit community; we believe that all persons involved with this incident have been accounted for and there is no known, ongoing threat.  Our Victim Services Team is in communication with the families involved and is offering their resources. Our hearts are heavy as we offer our condolences to the families, friends, classmates, and associates affected by the death of a young person in our community.

The Casper Police Department is dedicated to the protection and safety of our community.  We are your partners.  Our community is resilient.  Your Casper Police Department will not waiver in our resolve to proactively protect those in our stewardship.  

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UPDATE after initial incident :

Your Casper Police Department would like to thank #ourcommunity for your support today in avoiding the crime scene and allowing our investigators to safely do their work. 

At this time, the scene has been released, and regular travel may resume. We appreciate your support and mourn with you in this trying time.  Additional updates will be forthcoming.  Thank you for your patience.