The Natrona County Coroner’s Office has identified 35-year-old Joshua Lee Friesen of Casper as the individual who died by suicide following a pursuit with law enforcement on Sunday, October 6, Oil City News reports.
According to a statement from the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), the incident began when a deputy pulled Friesen over around 11:20 a.m. in the area of CY Avenue and Wyoming Boulevard. As the deputy approached, Friesen displayed a firearm, fired it into the air, and then sped away. After a brief pursuit, Friesen pulled over, brandished the weapon again, and took his own life.
The sheriff’s office noted that Friesen had an active arrest warrant with multiple charges, and additional warrants were being processed at the time.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations is looking into the matter. An autopsy is pending, and Friesen’s next of kin have been notified.
“We extend our condolences to the loved ones and family of the deceased,” the NCSO said in a statement.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call 911 or reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988, or text “WYO” to 741-741 for support from the Crisis Text Line.
