A Laramie County jury has found 22-year-old Mansoor Ali not guilty of second-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault and battery. The verdict follows a high-profile trial where Ali’s defense successfully argued that he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot 19-year-old Benjamin Glenn, who had approached Ali with a firearm in a Cheyenne King Soopers parking lot.
CHEYENNE, WY — In a case that tested the limits of Wyoming’s self-defense laws, a Cheyenne man has been cleared of all charges related to a fatal September 2025 shooting. On April 29, 2026, a Laramie County jury returned “not guilty” verdicts for Mansoor Ali, who had been facing a life-altering sentence for second-degree murder.
The incident began as a “road rage” style confrontation on Dell Range Boulevard. Prosecutors alleged that Ali “lured” Benjamin Glenn and three friends into the King Soopers parking lot by flashing his high beams and engaging in aggressive driving. However, the defense team, led by attorney Thomas Fleener, presented a narrative of a man attempting to reach a well-lit, safe area to escape a car full of aggressive individuals.
The Point of Contention: The “Lure”
The prosecution’s case centered heavily on a phone call Ali made to his brother, in which he reportedly used the word “lure”. Police argued this proved Ali intended to provoke a confrontation.
The defense countered with video evidence showing that Glenn’s group had actually left the parking lot and returned moments later. It was during this second encounter that Glenn exited his vehicle while brandishing his own firearm. “My client was not out looking for trouble,” stated Ali’s previous attorney, Crystal Stewart, during earlier proceedings. “He goes to turn around to leave, and this car comes back… the decedent had a gun, and the situation unfolded”.
Immediate Surrender and Acquittal
Ali’s defense was bolstered by his behavior immediately following the shots. Records show he identified himself as the shooter as soon as officers arrived and fully cooperated with the investigation.
The jury’s decision to acquit on all five counts—including four counts of aggravated assault for the other occupants in Glenn’s car—indicates they found Ali’s fear of imminent bodily harm to be “reasonable” under Wyoming law.
Safety Tip: This case is a stark reminder of the “Disparity of Force” and “Retreat” dynamics. Even if you are involved in a verbal dispute or a “road rage” incident (like flashing high beams), your right to self-defense remains intact if the other party escalates the situation to lethal force (brandishing a gun). However, the word “luring” almost cost this defendant his freedom. As a concealed carry holder, your words—both during the incident and in recorded calls—will be scrutinized by a jury. If you are being followed, your best move is to drive to a police station rather than a commercial parking lot. If you are forced to stop, keep your doors locked and stay inside your vehicle as long as possible to maintain a “protective barrier” between you and the threat.
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