By Sarah Elmquist Squires
Managing Editor
and Ernie Over
WyoToday
The Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply Store was evacuated Wednesday as police sought a group of possibly armed suspects who were involved in a nearby alleged assault.
The assault report came in on April 12 at 1:45 p.m., when police responded a call alleging an assault with a firearm was underway near a business in the 500 block of Pershing Avenue. The reporting party suggested that up to five had been involved in the assault and were fleeting the area on foot.
Riverton police and Fremont County deputies responded to the scene and located one victim with reported non-life threatening injuries. The officers were told that some of the suspects may be armed and one was reportedly wanted for escaping custody in another county. Police cleared the Murdoch’s location in pursuit of at least one of the suspects, according to eyewitness accounts.
John Goodman, 29, Riverton, was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated assault with a weapon, and possession of methamphetamine. Steven Oldman, 32, Riverton, was arrested on an escape warrant. Serena Perea, 25, was taken into custody on a warrant for a criminal offense, and Arlen Blackburn, 18, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana. A 15-year-old girl was also detained at the scene and later released to a parent.
During the course of the incident, law enforcement seized two firearms, methamphetamine, and marijuana, according to a news release.