UPDATE: Police Identify Cheyenne Homicide Victim; Suspect Charged

UPDATE:

Police have released the identity of a man shot and killed in east Cheyenne Wednesday.

Officer Kevin Malatesta says 41-year-old John-Paul Birgenheier was found shot to death outside his home at 3338 Belaire Avenue around 3:45 p.m.

Malatesta says Birgenheier, who'd been staying in an RV on the property, got into a fight with 78-year-old Charles Richmond, who'd been letting him stay at his residence.

Richmond told police that Birgenheier used meth and that he got into an argument with him over a missing pipe. He also thought Birgenheier​ owed him money for food.

Court records say a fight ensued inside the house and Birgenheier pushed Richmond down, threatened to hit him with a chair leg and then pushed him down twice more before leaving the house.

When Richmond grabbed his 12-gauge shotgun and went outside to tell Birgenheier to leave the property, Birgenheier reportedly turned to charge at him and Richmond shot him.

Richmond thought he'd shot Birgenheier three times, according to an affidavit.

Richmond was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty.

Richmond is currently being held in the Laramie County jail on a $100,000 cash bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13 at 9 a.m.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police have released the identity of a man shot and killed in east Cheyenne Wednesday.

Officer Kevin Malatesta says 41-year-old John-Paul Birgenheier was found dead outside his home at 3338 Belaire Avenue around 3:45 p.m.

Malatesta says Birgenheier got into a fight with his roommate, 78-year-old Charles Samuel Richmond, and Richmond shot him to death.

Malatesta couldn't say what the men were fighting about or how many times Birgenheier was shot, but says the two were not related.

Richmond was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder. He's scheduled to make his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court today at 1:30 p.m.