A 21-year-old University of Wyoming Student died from his injuries after attempting to break up a Halloween fight.

University of Wyoming Police and the Laramie Police Department say that Joseph Michael McGowan, of Lander, was flown to the Medical Center of the Rockies after he was struck at a private residence on the 700 block of North 7th Street.

The Laramie Police Department arrested 20-year-old Dalton Williams for Aggravated Assault on November 1st at 12:14 a.m. for his role in the incident. The fight allegedly was between Williams and another unknown individual, and McGowan was struck when attempting to break up the fight.  Police say the charge was upgraded from Aggravated Assault to 2nd Degree Murder after McGowan’s death.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic event, and offer our thoughts and prayers to Joe’s family and friends,” says UW President Dick McGinity. “The depth of their sorrow is unimaginable. The University of Wyoming community will do whatever we can to ease their burden at this difficult time.”

According to the Laramie Police Department, a person is guilty of Second Degree Murder if the person purposely and maliciously, without premeditation, kills any human being. Second Degree Murder is punishable by imprisonment for not less than 20 years to life.

At approximately the same time as the North 7th Street incident, police say another UW student was seriously injured in a fight involving several people on the 1100 block of Flint Street. That student is being treated at a Front Range hospital. Others sustained minor injuries.

Police are seeking a suspect in the Flint Street incident. He is described as between 5 foot 8 and 5 foot 10 inches in height, and possibly Hispanic.

Witnesses or anyone with information about either incident are encouraged to call the University of Wyoming Police Department, at 766-5179, or the Laramie Police Department, at 721-2526. Anonymous tips can be sent to text keyword “UWYO” to 847411 or Tip411.

Alcohol was a factor in both incidents, according to police reports.

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