A new report shows a Wisconsin state trooper killed in the line of duty earlier this year was justified in using force against a bank robbery suspect.
Prosecutors and police reviewed the March 24th confrontation between Trooper Trevor Casper and suspect Steve Snyder in Fond du Lac, in which both were fatally shot. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said Casper was shot in the neck by Snyder while sitting his car and could have fled, but got out to protect the lives of others. “Trooper Casper exited his squad car and was shot two more times,” Toney said. “A mortally wounded Trooper Casper then shot and killed the suspect. There is absolutely no doubt that Trooper Casper’s use of deadly force was justified.”
AUDIO: DA Eric Toney on his review of the shootout (:09)
The report shows the 21-year-old Casper, who was working his first solo shift on the job, fired 12-shots during the shootout, hitting Snyder once with a bullet that passed through his back and into his heart. Snyder fired nine shots, hitting Casper three times. Toney said “Casper did more in 17 seconds than most will do in a lifetime, and is undeniably a hero.”
During a news conference in Fond du Lac Thursday evening, State Patrol Captain Tony Burrell read a statement from Casper’s family, which said “we are extremely proud of the dedication, compassion, and reliability that Trevor brought with him to the Wisconsin State Patrol.”
Affiliate KIFZ contributed to this report.