Carbon County deputy shot in ambush in critical condition but improving

CASPER (WNE) — A Carbon County Sheriff's deputy was shot multiple times Monday, and the man accused of opening fire later died following a pursuit north of Baggs.

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken via a Facebook post Wednesday identified the deputy as Sgt. Zach Burns.

Dispatchers with the Carbon County Sheriff's Office received a report of an armed man in Baggs on June 8. Burns found the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in front of a small apartment complex in Baggs, Bakken said.

As the vehicle stopped, the suspect immediately got out and fired a semiautomatic rifle at Burns. He was struck in the neck, arm and hip, the sheriff said.

The suspect then set fire to the apartment building, returned to his vehicle, and fled northbound on Highway 789.

Residents in Baggs quickly helped Burns, providing protection and first aid until emergency medical services arrived.

Burns was flown to St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colo., where “he remains in critical but improving condition,” Bakken said, adding Burns "is expected to pull through."

The suspect was killed in a shootout with Carbon County deputies on Highway 789 after fleeing the scene, Bakken said.

The identity of the suspect has not been released as of Wednesday morning.

The probe into the incident is being led by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

This story was published on June 11, 2026. 

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