Crime
18-year-old Tyler Bathke arrested after a threat led to an East High School lockdown
UPDATE: Last week, Cheyenne Police Officers began an investigation into a threat that occurred at East High School located at 2800 East Pershing Boulevard.
On Tuesday, the wanted subject, Tyler Bathke, 18, of Cheyenne, turned himself in on a felony warrant.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
On Thursday, September 26 at approximately 1:18 p.m., a School Resource Officer (SRO) at East High received a report that a male student, later identified as Bathke, was carrying a gun in his waistband and made several concerning statements to other students – one of which indicated that a school shooting was going to occur.
SROs and school administrators met immediately to assess the potential threat.
Within minutes, East High was placed into a lockdown and the nearby Carey Jr. High School was placed into a secure perimeter.
Additional officers were called to the scene and quickly located Bathke.
Following a sweep of the school and surrounding areas, it was determined that there was no evidence of a gun in his possession, but officers did verify that threatening statements were made.
Due to the disruptive nature of this incident and mass panic created within the schools, officers applied for an arrest warrant for Bathke the following day.
On Tuesday, October 1, Bathke turned himself into the Laramie County Jail.
He was arrested and booked without incident on a felony charge of making terroristic threats.
“School threats carry very real consequences,” said Chief Mark Francisco. “This incident caused unnecessary fear, panic, and disruption in our community and placed a burden on school and police resources. We will always take violent threats seriously and will continue to work closely with our partners in education.”
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Students play an essential role in reporting information to authorities. Social media threats or concerning statements should always be reported to an SRO or submitted through the Safe-2-Tell Hotline (844-996-7233) (844-WYO-SAFE).
Crime
Father 19-year-old Gabriel Huerta killed his 9-month-old boy, before shooting himself in Pima County
On November 5, 2024, at around 5:00 p.m., deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Foothills District responded to a distressing call about suicidal threats in the 5500 block of North Shannon Road.
The caller reported that 19-year-old Gabriel Huerta had made alarming statements about self-harm to family members before leaving his home with his 9-month-old son in a red Ford Fusion, with his intended direction unknown.
Deputies were informed during their search that Huerta may be armed and had reportedly expressed intentions of harming both himself and his child.
Soon after, Huerta’s vehicle was located near Himmel Park, close to North Tucson Boulevard and East Hawthorn Street.
Deputies took strategic positions around the area, eventually locating Huerta. Despite repeated commands, Huerta fled on foot into a nearby alley.
Shortly after, deputies heard multiple gunshots from the alley’s direction.
They immediately located Huerta, who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as well as his infant son, who had also been shot multiple times.
Deputies performed emergency life-saving measures on both Huerta and his son using Individual First Aid Kits until paramedics arrived and assumed care.
Both were transported to a local hospital, where, tragically, the infant later succumbed to his injuries. Huerta remains unresponsive and in critical condition.
The investigation is being led by detectives from the Pima County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit, with support from the Robbery and Assault Team, Domestic Violence Unit, and Crimes Against Children Unit.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted with a K9 unit to search for additional evidence, such as projectiles and casings. The case remains active, and further updates will be provided as the investigation develops.