Wyoming Man Arrested For Reporting Phony Shooting

A 27-year-old Rock Springs man was arrested on Friday for calling in a bogus report of a shooting in an effort to save a friend from being arrested on DUI charges, according to a spokesman for the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Department.

Dick Blust says that on May 5, Dean Allen Muir called in a false report of someone having been shot on Little Bitter Creek Road, claiming there might even be a shooting victim lying on the ground.

Blust says Muir later admitted he made up the story because a friend of his had been pulled over in front of Muir's house on suspicion of drunk driving.

When the shooting report was received, Deputy Derek Morrell, who was conducting the DUI stop, had to break off that investigation to respond to the phony shooting report.

Blust says Muir was arrested after admitting he made up the shooting story to save his friend from a possible arrest for drunk driving. He has been charged with interference with a peace officer and false reporting.

Each charge carries a possible penalty of up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine or both.