Suspected Capitol explosive device likely a deconstructed firework

CHEYENNE — On Tuesday, a suspected improvised explosive device was found at the Wyoming State Capitol, and the building was immediately evacuated.

Wednesday afternoon, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation announced that the suspicious object is likely a “deconstructed live firework munition with a fuse.”

“The suspicious object has been rendered safe and analyzed by the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” DCI Commander Ryan Cox wrote in a news release.

The DCI has begun reviewing video evidence and has identified two subjects of interest.

Cox did not mention any names or characteristics, but said DCI is working on assembling information to share with law enforcement partners to identify the subjects of interest. If that doesn’t materialize quickly, DCI will likely send that information to media outlets so they can share it and ask the public to help identify these two individuals.

The object was found by a pedestrian on the surface of the large state seal embedded in the concrete in front of the building, facing 24th Street, around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. That person took the object into the Capitol, where Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were alerted, according to a press release. 

The neighboring Herschler Building was placed on a shelter-in-place status as people were evacuated from the Capitol.

The WHP, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and the Cheyenne Police Department/ LCSO joint bomb squad responded, using K-9 units and drones to assist in their investigation of the scene.

The building remained closed for the rest of the day Tuesday and is now deemed safe, operating during regular business hours Wednesday. 

The WHP has resumed its normal role of security at the building, and the investigation is now being carried out by the FBI and the DCI.

DCI bomb techs took the device to an off-scene site and acted to render it safe, Cox told the WTE on Wednesday.

DCI officials are no longer at the Capitol, and the building was open during normal business hours Wednesday, with security provided by the WHP, as usual.

The area of 21st to 26th streets between Carey and Central avenues was blocked off as drones and K-9 units swept the area Tuesday. All streets were reopened by around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and remained open Wednesday.

Information is still being sought in connection with this incident, the WHP said in a release. Anyone with information, images or recordings of suspicious activity in the early morning hours of Oct. 21 is asked to contact the DCI by heading to the agency’s website, wyomingdci. wyo.gov, and clicking the dedicated Capitol incident link on the main page, or calling 307-460-6504.

This story was published on Oct. 23, 2025.