A man in Wyoming pointed an AR-style rifle at police and told them, "I'm gonna be a martyr." Chauncey Patrick Miller, 28, approached officers with the weapon after neighbours raised concerns about noises coming from his apartment in Gillette.
Officers called to unrelated emergency
Police were attending an unrelated emergency call at the apartment block when they heard a man screaming, shouting and swearing at a woman inside a flat. They went to check if everything was all right. A female opened the door, and Miller yelled at officers to "get the f*ck out" before arming himself with what they describe as an assault rifle.
One officer reported watching Miller pull back the rifle's charging handle. Body-camera audio captured the sound of a round being chambered as officers faced the armed man.
Standoff and threats
As officers repeatedly ordered him to "put the rifle down" and "step away from the door," Miller responded, "You either leave me alone, or I guess we're going gang, gang," according to court papers. He then closed the door, and officers shifted to negotiating with him over the phone.
During this time, officers discovered Miller had two confirmed warrants for his arrest: one for failing to appear in court on an original battery charge, and another for failing to pay fines associated with drink driving and driving while banned.
Phone conversation
An officer wrote in the affidavit that Miller "was very upset" because he believed officers were there due to the warrants. On the phone, Miller said, "I won't be seeing you tonight homie unless we are gonna have some fun." The affidavit claims he rambled about law enforcement being "tax collectors for tyrants." He added, "here's the thing. You wanna f***ing answer to God tonight? I don't, I really don't dude. I don't wanna answer to Him, but that's what's gonna happen unless you leave me the f*ck alone." Later he reportedly said, "ain't gonna be funny, man dies because of $430 he owes to the government."
Charges and custody
Miller appeared in court and was remanded in custody pending trial. He has been charged with aggravated assault and battery, possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case continues.
