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DOJ releases videos, 911 calls of incident that led to Trooper Casper`s death
DOJ releases videos, 911 calls of incident that led to Trooper Casper`s death
FOND DU LAC -- New video shows the last few moments in Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Trevor Casper's life. 21-year-old Casper was killed on March 24th during a shootout with a bank robbery suspect. It was his first solo day on the job as a trooper, and he is the youngest law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice released video, photos and 911 calls related to the shooting that killed Trooper Casper and bank robbery suspect Steven Snyder on Tuesday, July 28th. This, after last week, Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney called Trooper Casper 'heroic,' and ruled his use of force was justified.
A warning -- the videos posted with this story may be disturbing or difficult to watch. Viewer discretion is advised.
Trevor Casper
The video, photos and 911 calls show the moments before, and the moments after Trooper Casper was killed.
Some of these moments were clearly very emotional for those who knew Trooper Casper. From the start, it was no ordinary day on the job.
It was March 24th, Trooper Trevor Casper's first solo day on the job.
Trooper Casper pulled someone over. It would be his last call before the shooting that took his life.
Shortly thereafter, Trooper Casper was called to an area near the Pick N' Save store in Fond du Lac -- off of the highway. It's here where Casper was shot and killed during a confrontation with 38-year-old Snyder.
Investigators say Snyder was heavily armed.
State Trooper shot and killed in Fond du Lac
State Bank of Florence robbery Wausaukee Marinette County
Earlier that day, an armed bank robbery occurred at the State Bank of Florence in the small town of Wausaukee. It was reported that a lone male bank robber armed with a semi-automatic pistol had fired one round into the ceiling of the bank before stealing an employee's vehicle to drive to where his getaway car was parked.
Sheriff's officials believe 59-year-old motorist Thomas Christ came upon the suspect, and Christ may have confronted him about parking his vehicle on or near Christ's property.
Thomas Christ
Not long after the 911 call came in for the bank robbery in Wausaukee, it was reported that there was a male victim lying near his truck who had been shot to death.
Evidence later showed Snyder was responsible for both the Wausaukee bank robbery, and the shooting death of Thomas Christ.
Within a couple hours of the Wausaukee bank robbery, FBI agents from Michigan and Wisconsin networked and were attempting to locate Snyder to see whether he was responsible for the bank robbery in Wausaukee.
Investigators were able to determine what vehicle Snyder was driving, and that he was in central Wisconsin -- apparently headed southbound.
Detectives and FBI agents determined Snyder could be responsible for the robbery and murder in Wausaukee, and decided to call the Wisconsin State Patrol in an effort to attempt a high-risk traffic stop on Snyder's vehicle.
Steven Timothy Snyder
Trooper Casper spotted the suspect vehicle headed southbound on Highway 41, north of Fond du Lac.
Sheriff's officials say Casper began following the vehicle without his lights or sirens activated -- waiting for other patrol units to attempt the traffic stop. Before other units could join, Snyder performed a quick U-turn.
"He ambushed and fired on Tropper Casper while both the suspect and Trooper Casper were still seated in their respective vehicles," Toney said.
Toney said an "armor-piercing" bullet ripped through Casper's door -- striking him in the neck. He opened his door to escape, and was struck two more times -- including a fatal round through his light body armor.
"Trooper Casper then fired 12 times from his handgun. One round struck the suspect in his back, and passed through his heart," Toney said.
Casper and Snyder fired shots at each other as they ran around Casper’s moving squad car.
Casper and Snyder eventually died after this 17-second gun battle.
In the video, you can hear a female officer's voice, and it paints a heartbreaking picture.
"346 is down! 346 is down! Trevor, Trevor stay with me! Stay with me! Oh my God. Oh my God! It's the back of his head! Damn it. Damn it. Come on Trevor. Hang in there buddy," officers are heard saying in the video.
A 'code red' is called, bringing city and county SWAT members to the scene, as well as a host of other agencies.
We would later learn 12 total shots were fired at Snyder by Casper.
Snyder fired at Casper nine times, and Casper was struck by three rounds. Casper was hit in his neck, hand, and chest -- and was dying while he fired the fatal shots that killed suspect.
Bullets even entered a nearby apartment -- piercing windows and doors.
Bullets from shootout involving Trooper Casper, Steven Snyder hit apartment building
Colleagues followed the ambulance carrying Trooper Casper's body from the scene. In the video, they can be heard talking about what a great person Casper was.
"He was a great guy," one officer says.
"I know what you mean. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life," another officer says.
Trooper Trevor Casper
The realization sets in for these officers that this was no ordinary day for anyone.
"That's how we remember Casper -- as a great person, and great cop, and someone we can look up to," an officer says.
The DOJ has also released a full photo album of crime scene photos from the investigation.
We do want to warn you -- THIS GALLERY CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT. Viewer discretion is advised.
CLICK HERE to view the photo gallery.