Casper Man Admits He Shot Teen Friend in Head While Playing Dangerous “Quick Draw” With Loaded Guns
CASPER, WYOMING — A Wyoming man has admitted to shooting his 16-year-old friend in the head during a reckless game of “quick draw,” a dangerous routine the pair reportedly treated as entertainment. Authorities say the shooting happened on Mother’s Day and nearly killed the teenager, who was struck above the eye by a bullet that exited behind his left ear.
Friends Treated Loaded Guns as Toys, Deputies Say
According to the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Sebastian Belden and his teenage friend were outside a home on South Washington Street on May 11 when they began mishandling firearms. Investigators say the two frequently pointed loaded handguns at each other and treated their “quick draw” contests like a game.
Belden had even purchased a firearm for the teen, according to police.
On this night, however, things turned deadly serious.
The two were “mishandling firearms, including pointing loaded handguns at one another,”
deputies reported.
As they squared off, Belden pulled his gun — and this time, a round fired.
The bullet struck the 16-year-old above his left eye, tearing through and exiting behind his left ear. The teen was rushed to the hospital with a serious head injury.
Belden Claims the Shooting Was a “One-in-a-Million Fluke”
After the shooting, Belden reportedly told investigators he believed his gun’s safety was engaged and that he didn’t know a live round was in the chamber.
He described the moment as:
“A one-in-a-million fluke kind of thing because the safety on my gun was on.”
“I didn’t even know I had a live round in the chamber.”
Belden was arrested on May 23 and booked into the Natrona County Detention Center.
Authorities say the shooting was witnessed by several people, including Belden’s fiancée and two minors.
Suspect Initially Told Witnesses to Lie About What Happened
When officers arrived, they learned Belden had told others to help cover up the shooting by claiming he “tripped with the gun,” causing it to discharge accidentally.
Investigators later determined the story was false.
Despite the attempted cover-up, deputies noted that Belden eventually showed signs of remorse.
According to the affidavit:
“The note expressed regret and remorse on behalf of Belden for hurting the teen.”
“The note also indicated that the shooting was a ‘terrible accident’ and asked for the family’s forgiveness.”
Belden wrote the letter and asked law enforcement to deliver it to the victim’s family.
Belden Pleads Guilty and Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison
Belden has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and battery, a charge that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. His plea deal was reached with the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office, according to multiple local outlets.
Authorities emphasized that playing with loaded firearms — even jokingly — can turn deadly in an instant. The teen survived the shooting, but the long-term effects of his injury have not been publicly disclosed.
As Wyoming officials continue to warn about the dangers of improper firearm handling, this case highlights just how quickly a moment of reckless behavior can change lives forever. For more updates on breaking local stories, safety news, and community coverage, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.