Suspect in police-involved shooting identified

WORLAND – The Washakie County Attorney’s office has released the name of the man injured in a police-officer shooting in Worland Sunday night.

Former Worland resident Joel Moreno, 32, was shot in the abdomen after allegedly attacking Worland police officers with a baseball bat. Moreno is still receiving treatment in a Billings hospital. His condition has been upgraded to fair, according to a release from the County Attorney’s Office.

Officers responded to a disturbance call on the 400 block of Obie Sue Avenue at approximately 11 p.m. Sunday. They entered the residence and were engaged by a man wielding a baseball bat, according to a preliminary investigation. One officer was knocked unconscious. The suspect then allegedly attacked a second officer who was able to fire his duty sidearm at the suspect. After a struggle, the officer was able to apprehend the suspect.

Both officers were treated and released from Washakie Medical Center and are currently on paid administrative leave. The names are not being released at this time.

The suspect was transported to Washakie Medical Center and was later flown to Billings, Mont. in critical condition.

The Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation is still investigating the incident.

Washakie County Attorney John Worrall said that his office is considering charging Moreno with attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. No decisions will be made until the investigation is complete.

More information will be released when it is available.