Gillette, Wyoming – A confrontation between two teenagers escalated into a shooting that left one of them wounded and begging for help, according to newly released court records. A local 19-year-old has now admitted responsibility for pulling the trigger during the volatile encounter.
Incident Overview
A teenager who went to another teen’s home allegedly armed with his mother’s stolen handgun ended up shot in the stomach on March 4. Prosecutors say the confrontation unfolded after the teen told a friend he planned to “settle some beef.”
Kamren Crousore, 19, has since pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter, leading prosecutors to dismiss more serious counts including attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault.
How the Confrontation Began
According to documents reported by the Gillette News Record, the victim asked a woman for a ride to Crousore’s home. He reportedly told her he needed to address an ongoing dispute. She stayed in the car as he went inside.
Moments later, she heard three gunshots. The victim stumbled outside clutching his stomach and pleaded to be taken to the hospital.
The victim’s mother later told investigators both her handguns — including a purple-framed 9mm Walther CCP — had recently been stolen. The woman who drove the teen said he told her he intended to sell both weapons.
Escalation Inside the Home
A witness later told deputies he had been inside the house with both teens earlier that morning. He claimed Crousore had taken meth, sparking an argument that intensified when the victim boasted he could fight any of Crousore’s friends.
The witness said tensions quickly spiraled. The victim allegedly body-slammed Crousore, hit him, and refused to leave until he retrieved the stolen guns.
As the struggle escalated, Crousore grabbed the purple handgun, loaded it, and pointed it at the victim’s face. He reportedly yelled at him to get out. After a brief standoff, Crousore struck him with the gun, prompting another fight.
During that struggle, Crousore fired three shots. Two missed, but one struck the victim in the stomach. The witness recalled Crousore panicking afterward, saying, “What did I just do, I can’t believe I just did that.”
After the Shooting
Investigators say Crousore hid the gun in a vent, fled the home, and went into hiding. Deputies later received reports of someone resembling him “peeking” through a window at the residence.
On March 8, officers found him concealed behind a rack of clothes inside a bedroom closet. He was arrested without resistance.
Evidence Recovered at the Scene
During a search of the home, deputies located the purple Walther handgun, matching the description of the stolen weapon. The victim’s mother confirmed both of her firearms were missing before the shooting occurred.
Authorities say the victim survived after being rushed to a hospital, though details on his medical condition were not disclosed.
Legal Developments
Crousore’s guilty plea to attempted manslaughter marks a significant shift in the case, as prosecutors agreed to drop the more severe charges as part of the plea agreement. A sentencing date has not yet been publicly announced.
Community and Safety Context
Law enforcement officials in Campbell County have emphasized the dangers posed when stolen firearms, substance use, and personal conflicts intersect. Investigators note that violent escalations often occur when disputes are handled privately rather than involving authorities or mediators.
Parents and guardians in the region have also expressed concern about the rise in teen-related gun incidents, particularly those tied to stolen firearms that end up in circulation.
Conclusion
The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a dispute can turn deadly when weapons and substance use are involved. With Crousore now awaiting sentencing, officials say the investigation into how both stolen guns were obtained remains active.
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