$500K Cash Bond Set for Cheyenne Man Charged in Fatal Shooting

Bond was set at half a million dollars cash Friday for the young Cheyenne man accused of gunning down another young Cheyenne man in the King Soopers parking lot last month.

Case Background

According to police, officers were called to the scene at 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, and arrived to find 19-year-old Benjamin "Benji" Glenn had been shot.

First aid was administered until medical personnel arrived and Glenn was later declared deceased.

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Officers contacted 21-year-old Mansoor Ali, who claimed to be the shooter, and he was detained.

Investigation Findings

Through the investigation, detectives determined that earlier in the evening, Ali witnessed an altercation in the Walmart parking lot on Dell Range Boulevard involving Walmart staff, Glenn, and his three friends.

Police say Ali, driving a Ford Raptor, offered assistance to Walmart staff, which was declined, then followed the four, who were traveling in a Chevrolet Cavalier, out of the parking lot and onto Dell Range Boulevard.

While traveling behind the car, Ali reportedly began harassing the group by flashing his brights.

In response, the driver of the car reportedly sped up then slammed on the brakes, escalating the conflict, and both continued driving recklessly.

Police say Ali called his brother during the dispute stating that he would “lure” the group to a nearby parking lot, then parked at King Soopers, and when the car passed by, he got out of his pickup yelling and pointed a pistol at the car.

After seeing the gun, the driver of the car reportedly sped off but returned moments later.

Glenn then reportedly got out of the moving car while holding a gun and Ali fired several shots at him and he collapsed.

Warrant Issued

Following the investigation, detectives forwarded their results to the district attorney for a potential charging decision and on Wednesday, Oct. 8, a warrant was issued for Ali's arrest.

The warrant was for second-degree murder, a felony punishable by 20 years to life in prison, and four counts of aggravated assault and battery - threatens to use a drawn deadly weapon, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Ali turned himself in at 10:15 a.m. the following morning.

Initial Court Appearance

On Friday, Oct. 10, Ali was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Sean C. Chambers on the charges.

"Almost the entire sequence of events involving Mr. Ali is on some sort of video," the state said. "There is no doubt that the individual who committed these acts is the defendant."

"I think the underlying question and probably the issue at trial is going to be a claim of self-defense," the state added. "Mr. Ali does not have a criminal record. He also did surrender himself to the sheriff's department. However, given the nature of the case and the substantial penalties involved, the state would ask for a $500,000 cash only bond."

"He stayed at the scene ... identified himself to law enforcement ... cooperated with them (and) was then released," said Ali's attorney. "He stayed in town for, I think, 10 days before he was charged ... he had an opportunity to run ... and he didn't, and then the minute the charges were filed he turned himself in."

"He's not a danger to anyone. He is going to show up for future court appearances," Ali's attorney added. "I would ask the court to consider something like a $100,000 cash or surety."

Bond Set at $500K Cash

"I acknowledge that everything is not contested in terms of ties to the community, lack of criminal record, those types of things, but due to the serious nature of the offense and potential penalties associated with those serious charges, at this time, the court will set the bond at $500,000 cash," said Chambers.

"That bond will be readdressed at the time of the preliminary hearing which will be held on Oct. 17 at 9:45 a.m.," Chambers added.

Please remember that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.