Teen Who Killed Pal While Playing Madden NFL Learns His Fate

A 19-year-old Wyoming teenager has been sentenced to 10 to 16 years in prison for shooting and killing his friend while smoking marijuana and playing video games. The incident took place at a Casper home on February 12, 2025, when the convict, Luka Wade Rasmussen, was playing Madden football with his 16-year-old friend, Riley Sears.

As the two were sitting beside each other on gaming chairs, Rasmussen, who had a habit of toying with guns and pointing them at people for fun, accidentally shot Sears in the head. The victim died on the spot. According to the police, they received a call from an adult at the home, and noticed the smell of marijuana at the crime scene.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen fled the room and took shelter in the shed. The gun was later found behind the shed. In his defense, the teenager stated that he had placed the gun on his thigh, and it went off accidentally, shooting his friend.

However, a 17-year-old friend of Rasmussen and Sears, who was also present in the room when the shooting took place, told the investigators that the accused had indeed pointed his gun at the victim. He also provided the officials with two photographs that proved Rasmussen often aimed guns at people, as he liked 'gangster vibes.'

Rasmussen pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in October 2025. His defense lawyer told the court that he did not realize that a bullet had been fed into the chamber when he loaded the magazine.

On the other hand, District Attorney Dan Itzen argued that he should have used his common sense. Itzen said, “There's a common sense aspect to this. You can't smoke dope and point gun lasers with one in the chamber and expect things to work out.”

Rasmussen told the court that he will always have to live with the guilt of killing his friend. He also apologized to the victim’s family. On February 24, Judge Kerri Johnson sentenced Rasmussen to 10 to 16 years.

Meanwhile, Sears’ family continues to deal with grief. His father stated that he keeps having nightmares about Sears’ death. He said, “Since February 12, 2025, it’s been a recurring nightmare. I keep waking up and thinking it isn’t real. I just can’t hold myself together some days.”

The family also released an obituary, describing Sears as a spirited and kind soul who shared a special bond with all his relatives and cousins. “He enjoyed anything with wheels, especially skateboarding alongside his dad and brother. A master gamer, Riley often outplayed his older brother and friends, much to their chagrin,” read the obituary.

The family further said, “Known for stirring up harmless mischief with his childhood friends as a young boy, Riley’s antics are remembered with laughter among those who knew him best. His heart was immense, filled with kindness, compassion, and selflessness—traits that made him truly too wonderful for this world.”