A Centennial pastor falsely reported a robbery after allegedly shooting himself in the abdomen at the Centennial Valley Community Church on Tuesday, Aug. 26, according to an Albany County Sheriff’s news release.
Dennis Lynn Davis, 44, initially reported at 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday that the shooting occurred after he tried to stop a robbery occurring in the church and was shot by the perpetrator with his own .380 caliber handgun, but the officers responding to the report became suspicious of Davis’ claim soon after responding.
“We identified several of the items that he said were stolen in places that didn’t match his initial statement,” Albany County Under Sheriff Robert DeBree said.
The evening after the shooting was reported, investigators interviewed Davis about the incident. During the investigation, Davis eventually admitted that his claim was fabricated and that he had shot himself as a result of “some personal problems,” according to the release.
Following the interview, Davis apologized to the deputies involved in the red herring incident.
Officer DeBree was unable to comment on the specifics of the personal problems that led to Davis’s actions.
Davis now faces false reporting charges as a result of the incident.
“The situation in-and-of-itself was dangerous with law enforcement personnel traveling at high rates of speed to render aid to victims and, or search for suspects,” according to the release. “If any person is injured during the response or investigation of a falsely reported crime, it is a felony.”
A total of 18 responders arrived on the scene of the shooting, made up of members of the Sheriff’s Office, Centennial Volunteer Fire Department, Laramie Fire Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Department of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab and a medical flight team.
Davis was airlifted to a Cheyenne hospital Tuesday night to receive treatment for the wound. He is expected to make a full recovery.
“He is recovering and expected to be ok,” Randy Svalina, a member of the church’s board of elders, said in an interview with the Associated Press. “Obviously, in a small community and a very tightknit church, everybody is duly shocked, but doing well.”
Davis was not available for comment on the incident, nor was any member of his immediate family.
