Wyoming judge denies stand-your-ground immunity for trans activist gun incident

In Laramie, Wyoming, trans activist Rihanna Kelver faced a verbal taunt from Scott Durham about a nearby gay bar, which she answered and then approached him across the street. Durham shoved Kelver, causing her to fall, after which she retrieved a gun from her bag and pointed it at him as he walked away. Initial police statements from Kelver mistakenly described the weapon as a knife, but she later corrected the record, citing confusion linked to bipolar II disorder, ADHD, and complex PTSD.

Albany County’s top prosecutor, Kurt Britzius, contended Kelver initiated the confrontation and was not in imminent danger. Judge Misha Westby concluded that, while Kelver was not the initial aggressor, her use of deadly force was unreasonable, and therefore the stand-your-ground law does not shield her from prosecution. The case will move toward trial unless a plea agreement is reached.