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Preliminary hearing for attempted murder suspect set for March 27

A man arrested for shooting someone on Liberty Lane will appear for his preliminary hearing for attempted second-degree murder on March 27, Campbell County court records say.

GILLETTE, Wyo. – The preliminary hearing for a man facing attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting someone on Liberty Lane is set for Monday, Campbell County court records say. 

Justin Calvert, 34, is charged with attempted second-degree murder; the charge is in connection to a March 17 incident on Liberty Lane where he is accused of shooting a 23-year-old man in the arm, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case. 

Calvert was arrested after evidence at the scene led Gillette Police officers to determine his use of deadly force was not necessary for the defense of himself or others, the affidavit states, adding that the shooting took place in the street outside of and away from Calvert’s home. 

Court records state Calvert and the 23-year-old man had argued throughout the day, an argument that started when the 23-year-old texted one of Calvert’s family members for a ride to the Campbell County Recreation Center.

The family member told Calvert that she didn’t want to associate with the 23-year-old man, and the two men began arguing over text and over the phone. The 23-year-old threatened Calvert’s family member and called her names, the affidavit states. 

At one point during the argument, Calvert reportedly threatened to shoot the 23-year-old man if he showed up outside his home. When the 23-year-old pulled up outside, Calvert retrieved a Beretta 9mm handgun, exited the home, and began shooting at him, court documents say. 

One of the witnesses reported Calvert fired twice, another reported hearing a single gunshot, the affidavit states, adding that the 23-year-old man was struck in the arm and drove away from the area. 

Gillette Police Officers located a man at N. Gurley Avenue and Warlow Drive believed to have been shot during an altercation on Liberty Lane., (Jacob Hill/Used with Permission)

Investigators managed to locate a single round that had traveled across the street and into a residence before ricocheting and becoming lodged in a retaining wall. A blood spot was located approximately 43 feet from Calvert’s front door, per court records. 

Multiple witnesses told police the 23-year-old man was not armed nor was he advancing towards the home when Calvert opened fire. He was shot in the street, next to his vehicle, according to the affidavit. 

Police officers located the 23-year-old man after he crashed into a tree near Warlow Drive and N. Gurley Avenue, court records say, adding that he was unresponsive and bleeding profusely from his right arm. 

In the affidavit, the investigating officer wrote that the 23-year-old man required immediate life-saving treatment and was LifeFlighted to an out-of-state trauma center. 

Calvert’s preliminary hearing will take place on March 27, where it will be determined if there is sufficient probable cause to send the case on to District Court for further proceedings.

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