FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) – Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney has released his final report into the March 24 shootout which killed Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Trevor Casper.
During a press conference Thursday, Toney laid out a timeline summary and facts of the fatal shooting involving the 21-year-old Casper and bank robber Steven Snyder.
You can read that report by clicking here.
Toney says that Casper’s use of force was justified, and that he made a heroic decision to protect Fond du Lac County after initially being wounded by a gun shot while inside his vehicle.
“It is certain that more innocent lives would’ve been endangered or lost had Trooper Casper not ended an active and ongoing threat that the suspect posed to the community,” said Toney.
Toney indicated the interaction between Casper and Snyder began when Casper followed Snyder in a police car without lights and sirens, waiting for police assistance. At no point did Casper attempt a traffic stop with Snyder.
Toney says Snyder fired the first shot at Casper while both were seated in their vehicles. That fact disputes the account put out by the Newaygo County (Mich.) Sheriff’s Office earlier this week.
Toney went on to say that Snyder fired at Casper nine times, Casper fired back 12 times. Casper was struck by three rounds.
Toney says the gunfire exchange lasted about 17 seconds.
“Trevor Casper did more in 17 seconds than most will do in a lifetime and is undeniably a hero,” said Toney.
Casper succumbed to his injuries before a medical helicopter could take off at the Fond du Lac airport.
