Aaron Mathew Briggs, 36, a Hispanic/Latino man from Cheyenne, died late on May 22, 2020 after staggering into The Lamp Lounge on West 6th Street with a bleeding wound to his upper body. He collapsed inside the bar and was pronounced dead about forty-five minutes later at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

Investigators traced Briggs’s movements that night to the Lariat Motel on Central Avenue. Police say Briggs had gone to a room there earlier while under the influence, became aggressive with people inside, and was forced out. Authorities allege he returned that evening wearing a heavy chain looped over his shoulders, was confronted by resident Benjamin Ketcham, and swung the chain after Ketcham produced a handgun. Police state a single shot struck Briggs in the upper torso; he fled to the bar and later died.

Ketcham was arrested on a warrant accusing him of second-degree murder based on the early case view. Prosecutors later dismissed the charge, concluding Wyoming’s self-defense law provided immunity under the circumstances they found, and no further charges were announced. Did anyone witness Briggs at the Lariat Motel or see him between the motel and The Lamp Lounge?