PROBABLE CAUSE STATEMENT FORM - STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
SUPPORTING THE CASE OF
State of Ridgeway v. prior
DATE
07/25/2025
CASE REF. NUMBER
25RI0011
I, Special Agent Arvantise, RI04
(Name and identification of law enforcement officer, investigator, or person having information as probable cause)
knowing that false statements on this form are punishable by law, state that the facts contained herein
are true. Your affiant has probable cause to believe that on 07/17/2025, at Cyrus Acres Gas Station in
Ridgeway County, State of Ridgeway, defendant prior committed one or more criminal offense(s):
CODE AND CHARGES COUNT(S)
3 R.S.C § 10 Second-Degree Murder
The act of intentionally or knowingly causing death of an individual; or of causing, with
intent, serious bodily injury and commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that
causes death of an individual; or of committing or attempts to commit a felony, other
than manslaughter, and in the course of and in furtherance of the commission or
attempt, or in immediate flight from the commission or attempt, he commits or
attempts to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life.
1
4 R.S.C § 09 Evidence Theft
The act of picking up evidence on an active crime scene, with the exception of the
individual being an on-duty peace officer taking evidence with the intent to not allow
others to pick up.
1
5 R.S.C § 08 Unlawful Possession of Government-Issued Equipment
The act of unlawfully possessing any government-issue equipment in any off-duty or
civilian storage device, capacity, or other inventory not mentioned of which is not
authorized by state law or relevant department policy.
1
Your affiant, being duly sworn, depose and state that the facts supporting this belief are as follows:
1. I have been employed within the Ridgeway State Police since August 2022. I’ve been a Law
Enforcement Officer in Ridgeway for over a year now. I’m currently a Captain within the Ridgeway
National Guard, Military Police Battalion. I am a former Ridgeway County Sheriff’s Office, Internal
Affairs Investigator. I was formerly employed in the Ridgeway Parks Service as a Full-Time Ranger. I
am a graduate from LETC Class 5, known and experienced Law Enforcement Officer.
2. This statement is made in support of a criminal complaint against prior (“Defendant”) for violations
of the aforementioned statutes.
Page 1 of 3
IN SUPPORT OF CRN 25RI0011 STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
PROBABLE CAUSE STATEMENT FORM - STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
SUPPORTING THE CASE OF
State of Ridgeway v. prior
DATE
07/25/2025
CASE REF. NUMBER
25RI0011
3. On July 17, 2025, at approximately 20:05 Mountain Standard Time, complainant Shawn_Schmidt
had just delivered a trailer from the Milton Port to the Cyrus Acres Gas Station and earned one
thousand Ridgeway dollars. He had a total of two thousand two hundred Ridgeway dollars in his
wallet from previous work. The complainant then attempted to refuel their Kingfisher when the
defendant approached him and opened fire, killing him without any provocation of any kind.
4. On July 17, 2025, the Ridgeway State Police State Bureau of Investigations was made aware of the
actions of the defendant via the State Bureau of Investigations Tipline. As a result, the case was
assigned to Special Agent Arvantise to investigate the incident.
5. Exhibit A is a film provided by the complainant, which shows the incident. After your affiant
investigated and examined the video, the following facts were determined: The defendant was
seen stepping out of his black Actilla, holding a Stetson-M2A, and immediately firing at the
complainant without hesitation, killing him. The defendant is then seen approaching the corpse of
the complainant and picking up his belongings. After collecting the complainant’s belongings, the
defendant returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. The clip ends here.
6. During an interview with the complainant, referenced as Exhibit B, he stated that he had delivered
his trailer to the Cyrus Acres Gas Station and was about to refuel his Kingfisher. He had a total of
2,200 Ridgeway dollars on his person, having completed two deliveries. The defendant was then
spotted and, without any provocation, proceeded to murder him and steal his money and other
belongings. The complainant further stated that the defendant would have been able to see him
drop off the trailer at the gas station.
7. During an interview with the defendant, referenced as Exhibit C, he stated that he does not recall
any such incident and denied that the incident ever occurred.
8. Based on this, your affiant finds sufficient probable cause that the Defendant committed one count
of § 3.10 Second Degree Murder, as the defendant intentionally and knowingly caused the death of
the Shawn_Schmidt by exiting his vehicle and opening fire with a Stetson-M2A without hesitation
or provocation. The defendant’s conduct constitutes an act clearly dangerous to human life, carried
out with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, resulting in the death of the complainant.
9. Your affiant finds sufficient probable cause that the Defendant committed one count of § 5.08
Unlawful Possession of Government-Issued Equipment, as the Defendant was found to be in
possession of a Stetson-M2A, which is government-issued equipment. The possession occurred in
a civilian setting without any lawful authorization under state law or department policy.
Page 2 of 3
IN SUPPORT OF CRN 25RI0011 STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
PROBABLE CAUSE STATEMENT FORM - STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
SUPPORTING THE CASE OF
State of Ridgeway v. prior
DATE
07/25/2025
CASE REF. NUMBER
25RI0011
10. Lastly, your affiant finds sufficient probable cause that the Defendant committed one count of §
4.09 Evidence Theft, as the defendant was observed approaching the complainant’s corpse
immediately after the killing and retrieving items from the active crime scene. The defendant was
not an on-duty peace officer and did not possess lawful authority to collect evidence
The evidence of which were referenced in the aforementioned statement are as follows.
# Exhibit Identification
1 Exhibit X Document identified as “25RI0011 PC - State of Ridgeway v. prior”
2
Exhibit A Film identified as “Untitled”
1. Timestamp (0:01) - Showing the defendant walking up to the complainant holding a
Stetson-M2A and discharging it, which has resulted in the death of the complainant.
2. Timestamp (0:04)- Showing the defendant walking up to the corpse of the complainant and
picking up his belongings.
3 Exhibit B Film identified as “Complainant Interview”
4 Exhibit C Film identified as “Defendant Interview”
Affiant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and correct.
Affiant Arvantise
Special Agent, State Bureau of Investigations
Ridgeway State Police
Executed:
07/25/2025
Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this information.
Prosecutor Tobyrulles4568
Attorney General
State of Ridgeway Department of Justice
Executed:
07/31/2025
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IN SUPPORT OF CRN 25RI0011 STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
