### Victim: Anicio Bernard

**Anicio Kane Bernard**, a 20-year-old Casper resident, was identified by Natrona County Coroner James Whipps as the deceased victim. Bernard’s next of kin have been notified, and an autopsy is pending to confirm the precise cause of death, though gunshot wounds are the primary factor. Limited personal details about Bernard are publicly available, but court records and media reports offer some context. He was the older brother of a 15-year-old Casper teen, referred to as Hayman in legal documents, who pleaded guilty in January 2025 to shooting into two homes in August 2024. During those proceedings, Bernard expressed support, stating, “I love you brother,” reflecting a strong familial bond.

Bernard was also implicated in a July 2023 shooting at the Natrona County Fairgrounds, where he was the intended target of a bullet that struck an 18-year-old woman, causing severe injury. The affidavit from that case described a feud between Bernard and the shooter, 19-year-old Wass, over a romantic dispute, indicating Bernard may have been entangled in local conflicts. While not confirmed, this history raises questions about whether the May 11 shooting was retaliatory or linked to ongoing disputes, though police have not publicly connected the incidents.

Bernard’s death at such a young age has resonated deeply in Casper, particularly among those who knew him or are concerned about the loss of young lives to violence. Social media posts on X, such as those from @OilCityNews, reported the shooting without specific tributes to Bernard, but the broader sentiment reflects community grief and frustration over the city’s escalating gun violence. Bernard’s prior involvement in a shooting does not diminish the tragedy of his death, which underscores the precarious situation facing Casper’s youth in neighborhoods marked by crime.

### Investigation

The Casper Police Department’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation, with potential support from the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) if broader criminal networks are involved. The preliminary finding of an exchange of gunfire suggests multiple shooters, complicating efforts to identify the primary perpetrator. Key investigative efforts include:

– **Forensic Analysis**: Detectives are examining ballistic evidence, such as shell casings and bullets, to identify the firearms used and trace their origins. The Wyoming State Crime Lab may assist in linking weapons to illegal trafficking or prior crimes, such as the 2023 fairgrounds shooting.
– **Surveillance Footage**: The apartment complex may have security cameras, and nearby businesses or homes on South Missouri Avenue could have doorbell or traffic cameras capturing the incident or suspects’ movements.
– **Witness Testimony**: Investigators are canvassing the apartment complex for accounts of the confrontation or gunfire. Bernard’s outdoor location suggests public visibility, but fear of retaliation may limit cooperation, a common challenge in areas with gang activity.
– **Motive and Suspects**: The confrontation’s cause is a priority, with potential motives including personal disputes, gang rivalries, or drug-related conflicts. Bernard’s 2023 incident raises the possibility of targeted violence, though no suspects have been named.
– **Relation to Other Shootings**: The South Washington Street shooting, occurring 16 minutes later, is considered unrelated, but investigators are examining potential overlaps in suspects, weapons, or social networks, given Casper’s small size and interconnected communities.

The Casper Police Department has urged the public to provide information, offering contact options at 307-235-7590 or Crime Stoppers at 307-577-8477, with anonymity assured. The investigation’s complexity— involving a deceased victim, a critically injured survivor, and multiple shooters— underscores the urgency of identifying those responsible. The exchange of gunfire points to a group dynamic, potentially tied to Casper’s emerging gang issues, as seen in prior incidents like the 2023 fairgrounds shooting.

### Context: Gun Violence in Casper

The South Missouri Avenue shooting is part of a troubling surge in gun violence in Casper during 2025. Notable incidents include:
– **February 12, 2025**: 18-year-old Luka Rasmussen was charged with involuntary manslaughter for killing Riley Jacob Sears during a game night, involving marijuana and a Glock pistol.
– **March 14, 2025**: A shootout at Cambridge Cove Circle killed a 3-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man, highlighting the impact on innocent bystanders.
– **April 24, 2025**: A restaurant shooting killed 28-year-old Jesse Banks.
– **May 1, 2025**: A convenience store shooting killed 45-year-old Jessie Woullard.

These incidents, reported by sources like Oil City News and Wyoming News Now, reflect a pattern of firearm-related deaths, often involving young perpetrators or victims. The July 2023 fairgrounds shooting, where Bernard was targeted, and a 2022 double homicide further illustrate Casper’s ongoing challenges with violent crime.

Factors driving Casper’s violence include:
– **Emerging Gang Activity**: While less organized than in larger cities, Casper has seen gang-related incidents, with feuds escalating into shootings. The “100k” gang, indicted in nearby Polk County, may have regional influence, though not directly linked to this case.
– **Socio-Economic Challenges**: Natrona County’s poverty rate, around 10%, and youth unemployment leave young adults like Bernard vulnerable to crime. Limited opportunities can draw youth into risky social networks.
– **Firearm Accessibility**: Wyoming’s permissive gun laws and rural culture facilitate firearm access, with illegal guns escalating disputes. The National Institute of Justice reports firearms are involved in over 70% of urban homicides, a trend evident in Casper.
– **Youth Vulnerability**: Young victims and perpetrators, as seen in Bernard’s case and Rasmussen’s, point to a generational crisis, with disputes quickly turning deadly.

### Community Response

The shooting has deeply unsettled Casper’s close-knit community, with residents expressing grief and fear over the weekend’s violent incidents. Social media posts on X, such as those from @OilCityNews and @WyomingNewsNow, reported the shooting, amplifying calls for enhanced safety measures. The lack of a named second victim limits specific tributes, but Bernard’s death has sparked mourning, particularly given his youth and the tragic circumstances.

Community leaders, such as Pastor John Smith, who responded to violence in 2023, may organize vigils or forums to address the shootings. Mayor Lisa Engebretsen, who honored a civil rights activist in May 2025, faces increasing pressure to tackle the city’s violence. The Natrona County Prevention Coalition, focused on youth safety, is likely to advocate for programs targeting at-risk young adults. Residents on X have voiced frustration, with some linking the shootings to broader issues like drug use or gang influence, though these remain unconfirmed in Bernard’s case. The public nature of the shooting has raised concerns about potential retaliation, further straining community morale.

### Broader Implications

The incident highlights several systemic challenges:
– **Gun Control**: Wyoming’s lax firearm regulations complicate efforts to curb illegal guns, necessitating federal and state intervention to disrupt trafficking networks.
– **Youth Crime**: Bernard’s death and cases like Rasmussen’s underscore the need for youth mentorship, job training, and after-school programs to prevent involvement in violent activities.
– **Community Safety**: Residential areas like South Missouri Avenue require enhanced policing and surveillance, balanced with trust-building to avoid alienating residents.
– **Economic Investment**: Addressing poverty through education and employment opportunities could reduce crime, leveraging Casper’s energy sector growth to create pathways for youth.

Nationally, urban homicides often involve young victims and firearms, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, aligning with Casper’s trends. Bernard’s death reflects a broader crisis of youth and gun violence, requiring comprehensive solutions that address both immediate safety and long-term socio-economic factors.

### Moving Forward

The investigation will focus on identifying suspects and clarifying the motive behind the confrontation, relying on forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and witness tips. The second victim’s condition, if he recovers, could provide critical testimony to unravel the sequence of events. Community forums and potential vigils will serve as platforms for dialogue, while calls for prevention programs and increased policing intensify. Casper must invest in its youth, economic opportunities, and community safety to break the cycle of violence and prevent further tragedies.

### Conclusion

The May 11, 2025, shooting that killed Anicio Bernard and critically injured another on South Missouri Avenue is a somber milestone in Casper’s struggle with gun violence. As the Casper Police Department pursues justice, the community’s resilience and commitment to systemic change are essential to honor Bernard’s memory and forge a safer future for the city.

Anicio Bernard: 20-Year-Old Killed, Another Critically Injured in Casper Shooting on South Missouri Avenue, Homicide Investigation Underway

Incident Overview
On May 11, 2025, at ~6:50 p.m., a shooting in an apartment on the 1900 block of South Missouri Avenue, Casper, WY, killed Anicio Bernard, 20, and critically injured another man. The incident, involving an exchange of gunfire, is under investigation as a homicide.

Victim
– **Anicio Bernard**: 20, Casper resident. Brother of a teen charged in a 2024 shooting, involved in a 2023 fairgrounds incident.

Investigation
Casper Police are investigating:
– Analyzing ballistics and surveillance footage.
– Seeking witnesses at the apartment complex.
– Exploring confrontation’s motive, possibly dispute-related.
– Tips: 307-235-7590 or 307-577-8477.

Context
– Casper’s 2025 shootings include February 12 and May 1 incidents.
– Gangs, poverty, and firearms drive violence.
– Past cases: 2023 fairgrounds shooting, 2022 homicide.

Community Response
– Social media posts express grief; vigils likely.
– Calls for youth programs and safety measures grow.
– Mayor faces pressure to act.

Implications
– Highlights gun access, youth crime, and disparities.
– Urges prevention, policing, and investment.

Conclusion
Bernard’s killing demands justice and systemic change to ensure Casper’s safety.

**Summary and Instructions**: This 1,500-word report details the May 11, 2025, homicide of Anicio Bernard in Casper, WY. Stay updated via the Casper Police Department or oilcity.news. Submit tips to 307-235-7590 or 307-577-8477. Support community efforts through forums and advocate for safer neighborhoods.