Casper Police have arrested a man, who is accused of pointing a loaded gun at one teenager, and allegedly firing at the head of another.
According to police records, Michael W. Mclaughlin was arrested and booked into the Natrona County Detention Center, just after 7:30 pm, on Friday, April 20th.
Mclaughlin is accused of brandishing a firearm at three teenagers, who happened upon Mclaughlin near the 3100 block of Cotton Creek Place, in Casper. Mclaughlin is alleged to have pointed his gun at the chest of one of the teenagers. Another teenager alleges that Mclaughlin had fired the gun at the teenager’s head, but missed.
An arrest affidavit for Mclaughlin describes interviews from the three juveniles. According to them, they were walking in the neighborhood, and heard something that sounded like fireworks. Upon coming on Mclaughlin, they had originally mistaken him for an acquaintance.
All three teenagers say that Mclaughlin was behaving abnormally and was described as “shaky.” The teens tell police that several times Mclaughlin brandished a small hand gun, and inquired the minors about if he could get any marijuana for “four-twenty.”
During the encounter, two of the teens say that they stepped away for a moment to take a phone call. At that time the third teenager, alone with Mclaughlin, said that Mclaughlin pointed the gun at his head and ordered the teenager to empty his pockets.
The teen then alleges that he showed Mclaughlin his empty pockets, at which it is alleged that Mclaughlin took a step back and stated “back where I come from in Memphis, Tennessee, they do this.” The teen the reported hearing a “bang” and hearing something fly past his ear.
The teen also says that after the shot was fired, that Mclaughlin claimed to be living in a house with a pink flamingo, then showed the teen his chest tattoo that read “OG Mike.”
After the return of the other two teens, it was alleged that Mclaughlin pointed the gun against their chest. The teens then claim to have told Mclaughlin that they knew where to get marijuana, and fled the scene, calling officers.
Police say that Mclaughlin told him he was a recent transplant from the Tennessee area, and that he had been on a walk because he was upset. He told officers that he had taken a .22 pistol with him, and had fired a shot into the open. Following that, he claimed that he spoke with the juveniles.
Officers note that Mclaughlin admitted to showing off the gun, and talking about weed and “four-twenty.”
Later during the interview, police say that Mclaughlin admitted that he may have pointed the gun at the juveniles as well as shooting in the air. Police say that Mclaughlin admitted that he was trying to find weed, and had asked the children. He did, however, deny ever shooting the gun at anyone.
Police confirmed that Mclaughlin had a tattoo on his chest that said “OG Mike.”
Mclaughlin was transported to the Natrona County Detention Center where he was booked in on recommended charges of Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Use of a Firearm in a Felony.
Police also note that Mclaughlin return a result of .166% alcohol concentration, when given a field breathalyzer.
Police reported no injuries among the juveniles present.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office.
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