Wyoming investigators probe fatal I-80 shooting east of Cheyenne

One man died in a shooting on Interstate 80 that sent emergency crews to the highway east of Cheyenne on Wednesday afternoon.

The victim was identified as Anthony Bryant, 27, by a family friend who spoke to the media on Thursday. The Laramie County Coroner's Office has not yet released his name publicly.

Deputies from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene around 1:42 p.m. near mile marker 377. This location is close to the Hillsdale exit, approximately 15 miles east of Cheyenne.

The sheriff's office confirmed that Bryant was pronounced dead at the scene. All deputies involved in the incident were safe.

Jacey Nichelle Lee learned of her brother's death on Wednesday when her mother called. Lee is the aunt of Bryant's son and was preparing to marry his sister.

She said she had not seen online reports before receiving the phone call. "I dropped everything I was doing and I just felt very tight and sick to my stomach," Lee said.

Lee described Bryant as a person who faced personal challenges. "He was a troubled human and was in and out of jail and had some deep personal issues," she said. She noted that she was not present during the encounter and did not know the exact details of what occurred.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the probe. Director Ronnie Jones stated that the agency's officer-involved shooting team is gathering facts to answer public questions.

Investigators are determining why deputies were in the area, whether Bryant was armed, and who fired the shots. Jones said the division will not comment further while the investigation is open.

Once the work is complete, findings will go to the Laramie County District Attorney's Office. "I do not have an estimated timeline for the completion of the investigation but it will be done in a thorough and timely manner," Jones said.

The sheriff's office announced on Thursday that it will review body camera and patrol car footage. Investigators will also interview deputies and witnesses and examine physical evidence. A separate internal review will check if department policies were followed.

The shooting caused a large police response on Interstate 80. Officers used orange cones to funnel semi-trucks and other vehicles into a single lane. Radio traffic recorded shortly after the incident showed requests for traffic control and emergency medical support. At one point, a responder was told to have an automated external defibrillator ready. The sheriff's office said there is no ongoing threat to the public.