Motel shooting sparks SWAT response in Cheyenne

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A Cheyenne man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that occurred Friday at a local motel.

A social media post from the Cheyenne Police Department states that Harold Wayne Sarvis, 69, was booked into the Laramie County Jail for attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

According to the release, on January 9 at approximately 2:25 p.m., Cheyenne PD officers were dispatched to a report of a shooting at the Big Horn Motel, located at 2004 East Lincolnway. Upon their arrival, officers found a 52-year-old male, who was the apparent victim of a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.

According to the preliminary investigation and surveillance video, the victim arrived at the motel around 2:13 p.m. and a verbal dispute took place near Sarvis’ room. The argument escalated and the man was shot by Sarvis. After the shooting, Sarvis returned to his room while the victim collapsed in the courtyard.

Officers responded and secured the area, and assisting agencies remained on scene for several hours, attempting to make contact with Sarvis. The motel was evacuated for the safety of everybody in the immediate area. Specialized resources, including the Cheyenne Police/Laramie County joint SWAT team, crisis negotiators, and the Bomb Squad were called to assist.

The SWAT team made several announcements, commanding Sarvis to exit his room, but he did not comply. Crisis negotiators were able to briefly communicate with him by phone, but he was not cooperative.

After a few hours, at approximately 6:10 p.m., the SWAT team utilized explosive breaching techniques and was able to enter the room with an unmanned drone, in order to locate the suspect. Sarvis was given a series of commands and he was eventually safely taken into custody. The scene was then cleared.

As a precaution, an adjacent school in the area, Alta Vista Elementary School, was placed into a secure perimeter at 2:45 p.m. The perimeter was lifted by 4 p.m. Traffic was also rerouted around the area, and an outer perimeter was established while the scene was active.

The release notes that the case remains under investigation by the Cheyenne Police Department.

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