Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking two men whom investigators wish to speak to in connection with a bizarre shootout that was reported at about noon Tuesday in the rural southern part of the county.

The Sheriff’s Office released descriptions of two men who are thought to have been involved in a confrontation Monday with a third man, who reported he was shot at while on the deck of his home Tuesday.

Sheriff Garrett Wiggins said the two men are described as being in their 20s. One is white with a medium height and medium build. The other is a shorter Hispanic man. They were seen driving an old all-terrain vehicle with camouflage.

On Monday, the man who lives on Filly Trail in the Stagecoach area off Routt County Road 16 said he confronted the two men, whom he reported seeing trespassing on a neighbor’s property. The man questioned the trespassers, who said they were looking for firewood, and said they acted rude.

That exchange may be connected to the incident Tuesday where the man said two shots were fired in his direction from the woods. It is estimated the men were 50 to 75 yards away from each other when the initial shots were fired.

After being shot at while on his deck, the man, who was carrying a gun himself, chased the man he thought was the shooter and returned fire. Deputies canvassed the neighborhood and were unable to find signs of the first shooter.

Wiggins said investigators were unable Wednesday to retrieve casings or other evidence that would help identify the gun used by the shooter.

“That gives us an indication that it’s a revolver or a weapon that does not eject spent rounds,” Wiggins said.

The name of the man who reported being shot at is not being released because there is some fear of retaliation from the unknown suspect, Wiggins said. The man refused to comment Wednesday.

Wiggins said law enforcement presence has been increased in the area and asked people who see anything suspicious to take notes about the activity and call Routt County Communications at 970-879-1090.

“If anyone sees anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, they should give us a call,” Wiggins said. “Any type of lead we get at this point will basically be more than we have.”

Several neighbors reported hearing the gunshots, which Wiggins said are not uncommon to hear in the rural area, but no one saw anything unusual. Some neighbors have security cameras, he said.

“They are following up to see if any of the cameras might have any evidence that would help up identify the individuals,” Wiggins said.

— To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247 or email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com