CASPER, WY – An 18-year-old accused of accidentally shooting a friend during a gaming session will remain in jail with a $500,000 bail, following a not guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter.
Luka Wade Rasmussen appeared before the court Tuesday, facing accusations of causing the tragic death of Riley Jacob Sears, 16.
Despite his attorney’s plea to reduce the bail to $100,000, the judge maintained the current amount, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the circumstances surrounding it.
The incident occurred on February 12, 2025, when Sears joined Rasmussen and another teen at a Casper residence for a day filled with video games and marijuana. Authorities say Rasmussen introduced a firearm into the mix, which discharged, resulting in Sears’ fatal injury.
Rasmussen contends that the shooting was unintended, claiming he was holding the gun on his thigh when it accidentally fired. However, conflicting reports from a teenage witness suggest that Rasmussen intentionally aimed the weapon at Sears, raising further questions about the event.
Evidence submitted in court included photographs portraying Rasmussen pointing a gun at the witness on two different days. One of these instances took place just two days before Sears was shot, according to the prosecutors.
In another twist, law enforcement reports reveal a directive from the father of the third teen involved, urging Rasmussen to dispose of the firearm. Despite this, Rasmussen allegedly ran and hid the weapon behind a shed, where it was later recovered by police.
The deadly incident has sparked a debate about gun safety and responsibility, especially among youths, bringing a community’s ongoing concern to the forefront. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on understanding how events escalated to such a devastating outcome.