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Left: Luka Rasmussen (Natrona County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Riley Sears (Newcomer Funeral Home).
A 19-year-old from Wyoming is facing a prison term of at least 10 years after a tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of his 16-year-old friend. The young man, Luka Wade Rasmussen, was engaging in marijuana use and playing the video game Madden with his friend when the accident occurred.
In October, Rasmussen admitted guilt to charges of involuntary manslaughter, leading to his sentencing on Tuesday. A judge handed down a sentence of 10 to 16 years for his role in the death of Riley Sears, as reported by Oil City News.
The unfortunate event took place on the night of February 12, 2025, when the teens were playing video games at a home in Casper. During their gaming session, Rasmussen began handling a firearm, ultimately pointing it at Riley and discharging it, resulting in his friend’s death.
During the sentencing, District Attorney Dan Itzen emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “There’s a common sense aspect to this. You can’t smoke dope and point gun lasers with one in the chamber and expect things to work out.”
In a poignant victim impact statement, Riley’s father, Jacob Sears, recounted the harrowing moment he received a call from an unknown number, informing him of his son’s shooting. A detective later confirmed the devastating news of Riley’s death.
“Since February 12, 2025, it’s been a recurring nightmare,” he reportedly said. “I keep waking up and thinking it isn’t real…I just can’t hold myself together some days.”
Prosecutors said Rasmussen exhibited a gangster persona on social media and often pointed guns at people despite warnings against doing so. Judge Kerri Johnson pointed out before sentencing that he wasn’t the only one responsible.
“Where the adult of the house was in all this, I don’t know,” she said.
As Law&Crime previously reported, the defendant initially said he had had the gun resting on his thigh when it went off, but another witness claimed that Rasmussen was pointing it at Riley, according to Cowboy State Daily. Prosecutors presented social media photos in court showing Rasmussen pointing the gun at the teenage witness on two separate dates. The latter incident happened on Feb. 10, 2025 — two days before the fatal shooting.
Police claimed that the father of the third teen had told Rasmussen after the shooting to “get rid of the gun.”
“Rasmussen stated he ran out of the back door on the main floor of the residence and ran to the shed,” police wrote. “Rasmussen stated he threw his gun behind the shed and did not recall removing the magazine or manipulating the gun.”
Police found the gun behind the shed.
According to his obituary, Riley loved to be with family and was known as a prankster.
“Riley was a spirited and kind soul, known for his love of making music,” the obituary said. “He enjoyed anything with wheels, especially skateboarding alongside his dad and brother. A master gamer, Riley often outplayed his older brother and friends, much to their chagrin.”