The DOJ recently released video evidence documenting the events that led up to the fatal shootout between a rookie Wisconsin State Trooper and a hardened criminal bent on “suicide by cop.”
March 24 was 21-year-old State Trooper Trevor Casper’s first day going solo. But that didn’t stop the rookie Trooper from tracking down and pursuing 38-year-old Steven Snyder, who was armed with at least two handguns, nearly 150 rounds of ammunition and a manifesto stating his “desire to die while fighting.” Ultimately, Casper and Snyder were both killed in a frenzied shootout, and now the DOJ has released the video footage chronicling the tragic incident.
Earlier that day, Snyder had robbed a bank, shot a man in cold blood, and was fleeing down Highway 41 when Casper spotted him.
Casper followed the suspect, but kept his lights and sirens off, waiting for backup before initiating a high-risk stop. But Snyder abruptly pulled a U-turn and engaged the Trooper.
“He ambushed and fired on Trooper Casper while both the suspect and Trooper Casper were still seated in their respective vehicles,” said Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney.
Snyder was armed with a Glock .40-caliber pistol and an FN 5.7 pistol. Inside his car he also had a manifesto stating “his willingness to die, desire to die while fighting, and lack of regret for his illegal actions.”
The shootout lasted only 17 seconds, but in that short time frame the two men exchanged 21 rounds of fire.
“Trevor Casper did more in 17 seconds than most will do in a lifetime and is undeniably a hero,” said Toney.
In the end, both Casper and Snyder succumbed to their wounds, but the heroic actions of the rookie Trooper helped put an end to Snyder’s reign of terror.
“Trooper Casper was able to take out a threat that was prepared to inflict more devastation on citizens of Fond du Lac,” said Col. Brian Rahn of the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Fellow officers lauded Casper, and will remember him “as a great person, and great cop, and someone we can look up to.”
The other videos are unlisted and have to be viewed on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgU0_CBPgvM&feature=player_embedded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip7zz3CKWY4&feature=player_embedded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3m_54Ha2wI&feature=player_embedded
(This article was a submission from freelance writer Brent Rogers)
It’s always sad when one of our heroes pays the ultimate sacrifice in protecting us from our repeat offenders. RIP officer, and thank you for your service.
But that is our problem, isn’t it? Repeat offenders out to victimize society. Hardened criminals with no regard for anything but themselves. In this society we are given the rules to it as we grow up, so I say when you continually break those rules, you should be given only a few chances before you are taken out of the game and not just off the field. As resources will begin to dry up, society will recognize one day that there are those who are not worth spending those resources on, and will demand that they be permanently removed.
I can’t stand abuses by authority, but I also try and understand why things happen.
Why are cops “trigger happy”?
Situations like this.