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BLACK BEACH, WY — A late-night camping trip turned violent on July 5 when an attempt to stop an intoxicated man from driving ended in gunfire, leaving two people injured at a remote site between Black Beach and Cottonwood campgrounds in Natrona County.
According to the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of shots fired around 10:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found that a group of campers had tried to intervene when one of their companions, who was visibly intoxicated, attempted to leave the area by vehicle.
As tensions escalated, the intoxicated man retrieved a rifle and pointed it at another camper. That individual, fearing for his life, drew a handgun and fired in self-defense. The shot struck the man with the rifle in the leg. A woman standing nearby was also hit in the leg by a single round, possibly as a result of crossfire or an errant bullet.
Both injured parties were transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies quickly secured the scene and confirmed there was no continuing threat to the public. The man who fired the handgun was detained during the initial investigation and later released. All individuals involved have been interviewed, and the case remains under active investigation.
This incident is a stark reminder that alcohol and firearms are a dangerous combination. The group acted responsibly by attempting to prevent an intoxicated individual from driving, but the presence of a firearm in the hands of someone under the influence dramatically raised the stakes. In situations involving potential threats of deadly force, lawful defensive actions may be necessary—but ideally, tragedies like this can be avoided with sober judgment and secure firearm storage.
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