A shooting at the Big Horn Motel last Friday allegedly grew out of a dispute over a $30 debt, according to an affidavit of probable cause in the case.
The suspect in the case, 69-year-old Harold Wayne Sarvis, is now facing a charge of attempted second degree murder. If convicted of the charge, Sarvis could face a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
The incident on Friday afternoon left one man hospitalized and Sarvis in custody at the Laramie County Detention Center. He was arrested following a multi-hour standoff with local law enforcement, including the Cheyenne/Laramie County Joint Swat Team.
Homeless Man Allegedly Owed Sarvis $30
The affidavit says surveillance video from the motel shows a homeless man, Earl Mercer, arriving at the Big Horn a little after 2 p.m. on Friday. At 2:14 p.m., the video shows Mercer being thrown out the door of room 120, which was occupied by Sarvis. Mercer then went to another room looking for help.
The video also shows Sarvis standing over Mercer with no apparent attempt to help the wounded man. Sarvis then went back into his room.
When first responders showed up on the scene, Mercer was rushed to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center with a bullet wound to the chest.
When a police detective went to CRMC to ask Mercer about the incident Mercer said :”Wayne” had shot him over a $30 debt that he owed Sarvis. Mercer, who appeared to be intoxicated, told the detective he told Sarvis he had already paid him. But Mercer allegedly told police that as he was leaving the money on the steps, Sarvis said “die, bitch” and then shot him. Sarvis then went back into his apartment, according to Mercer.
When police were able to get into Sarvis’ room following a standoff of several hours, using an unmanned drone. Sarvis was found inside and arrested.
They then served a search warrant. The search turned up a spent 9mm shell casing in the common area of the steps where Mercer said he was shot,
Sarvis faces a Jan. 23 preliminary hearing in the case.
Old Medicine Of The Chugwater Wyoming Drugstore
If you visit the tiny town of Chugwater Wyoming you’ll find the newly restored Soda Fountain.
In fact it’s Wyoming’s oldest soda fountain and malt shot.
It’s always worth stopping in for breakfast or lunch, or maybe a shake or malt.
The place was a drug store and soda fountain for the longest time.
Back then soda was actually used to cure an upset stomach.
So what sort of old medicines were left behind by Chugwater’s last pharmacist?
It turns out, some of them are on display.
Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods
