Cheyenne Teens Arrested After Allegedly Shooting at Police

Two Cheyenne teens are behind bars after allegedly shooting at police in northeast Cheyenne early Thursday morning.

Multiple Shots Fired

According to Public Information Officer Alex Farkas, an officer was conducting a security check near East High School at 2800 E. Pershing Blvd. at about 1:15 a.m., and was standing outside of his patrol vehicle, when multiple shots were fired in his direction.

"The officer retreated to his vehicle and began to search for the shooter," Farkas said in a news release.

Farkas says about 15 minutes later, an officer near the Bicycle Station at 2634 Dell Range Blvd. relayed over the radio that the occupants of a white van were firing shots in his direction.

High-Risk Traffic Stop

Farkas says the officer followed the van and conducted a high-risk traffic stop near North College Drive and Parkview Drive.

Farkas says the driver, later identified as 19-year-old William Nicholson, and his passenger, 18-year-old Tayren Smith, exited the van and were arrested without incident.

"Inside of the van, officers collected a stolen firearm out of Fort Collins, Colorado, and a bullet shell casing," said Farkas. "Officers also recovered a video of Nicholson driving the van and shooting out of the window."

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Farkas says Nicholson was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center for aggravated assault on a peace officer, conspiracy, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was also found to have an active warrant out of Platte County for failure to comply on original charges of theft.

She says Smith was booked for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and possession of a stolen firearm.

As of 1:45 p.m., the two had yet to be formally charged.