Luka Wade Rasmussen, 19, has been sentenced to 10 to 16 years in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of his 16-year-old friend, Riley Sears. Rasmussen pleaded guilty to the charge after he shot Sears on February 12, 2025, while the two were smoking marijuana and playing video games. Rasmussen had been playing with a gun, which he pointed at Sears and accidentally fired, killing him. The tragic incident occurred at a home in Casper, Wyoming.
Details of the Incident and Victim Impact
According to prosecutors, Rasmussen had a history of pointing guns at people, often displaying a “gangster persona” on social media. Despite warnings, Rasmussen continued to handle firearms recklessly. During the sentencing, District Attorney Dan Itzen remarked that it was common sense not to point a gun with a loaded chamber, especially while under the influence. Riley’s father, Jacob Sears, shared an emotional victim impact statement, describing the pain of losing his son and how the tragedy has haunted him every day since the shooting.
Investigation and Sentencing
Rasmussen initially claimed that the gun had been resting on his thigh when it went off, but a witness contradicted this, stating that Rasmussen was pointing the gun at Sears. Police later found the gun behind a shed, where Rasmussen had hidden it after the shooting. The judge, Kerri Johnson, questioned the lack of adult supervision in the situation, emphasizing that Rasmussen was not the only one responsible. Riley’s obituary remembered him as a kind, spirited young man with a love for family, music, skateboarding, and gaming.
