Man allegedly killed and attempted to dismember man who tried to rape his girlfriend

LARAMIE, Wyo. (TCD) -- A 29-year-old California man was arrested after allegedly killing a man who tried to rape his girlfriend during their "date night."

According to a news release from the Laramie Police Department, on June 27 at approximately 7:43 p.m., officers launched the investigation after receiving a missing persons report. Hunter Fulton allegedly fatally shot the missing male victim, claiming that he was protecting his girlfriend, the Laramie Boomerang reports.

According to an affidavit obtained by the Laramie Boomerang, on June 24 and in the early hours of June 25, Fulton and his girlfriend first came into contact with the victim, listed as M.T.C. in documents, at Copper’s Bar.

Fulton and his girlfriend were reportedly out on a date and M.T.C. made a "sexual pass" at her. Fulton allegedly confronted the victim, and he apologized.

Fulton and his girlfriend left Copper’s and went to a room at the Gas Lite Motel, the Laramie Boomerang reports. The two also allegedly took cocaine in the room.

Fulton reportedly left the motel room, leaving the door open, and the victim entered. Then, the victim allegedly tried to sexually assault the woman at knifepoint.

According to the affidavit, Fulton returned to the room, and he and M.T.C. got into a physical fight that led to Fulton fatally shooting M.T.C.

The girlfriend reportedly went back to California, and on the afternoon of June 25, she told authorities M.T.C’s body was in the room.

On June 27, M.T.C was allegedly reported missing, which initiated the investigation. A couple days later, on June 29, officers found Fulton sitting in his car outside the Gas Lite Motel, and he told officers they would "find everything you need inside the room," according to the Laramie Boomerang.

Authorities reportedly searched the motel room and located the victim’s body in the bathtub with cuts on his torso along with a saw nearby. Fulton had allegedly bought multiple saws from a local hardware store on June 25. Investigators believe Fulton tried to dismember the victim’s body.

Fulton was taken into custody, and during an interview, Fulton reportedly told authorities, "If your girlfriend would have gotten raped, you would have killed him too."

According to police, Fulton was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and mutilation of dead bodies. In the state of Wyoming, police said second-degree murder is punishable by a minimum of 20 years in prison to life. Mutilation of dead human bodies is reportedly punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.

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