The owners of a Western-style steakhouse in Wyoming clashed with tourists that authorities say led to death threats and a serious assault on a police officer.
Husband and wife Randel and Courtney Hooper have run Cassie’s Steakhouse in Cody since 2022, but their peaceful tenure as restaurant owners came to an abrupt end Wednesday when a couple from Florida visited. Cowboy State Diary reported.
After Courtney Hooper, 42, claimed that customers were upset with her service and threatened to kill her, both Hoopers followed them back to the nearby Big Bear Motel to make threats of their own.
Cody Police Department officers at the scene said Courtney Hooper threatened to shoot a man who was filming her several times, adding that her husband also threw out profanity-laced fighting words.
The Hoopers were arrested at Cassie’s a short time later, where Randel Hooper allegedly kicked Cody Police Officer Daniel Villalobos in the head so hard that he had to go to the hospital for his injuries.
Courtney Hooper, left, and Randel Hooper own Cassie’s Steakhouse in Cody, Wyoming. After she was allegedly threatened by a Florida couple at the restaurant, Randel Hooper chased the Floridians as they walked back to her motel, according to police.
For the alleged assault on Villalobos, Randel Hooper, 56, was charged with a felony and could face 10 years in prison plus $10,000 in fines.
Both Hoopers face multiple misdemeanor charges related to this incident and have been released on bond.
This saga officially began on Wednesday at 8:47 pm when Cody police officers received a disturbance call coming from Cassie’s, according to an affidavit written by Officer Villalobos.
Cassie’s became a Cody fixture during the 1940s and was purchased by the Hoopers in 2022. It has deep history and Western decor inside and out, making it a popular stop for tourists.
When Villalobos arrived, Courtney Hooper told him that a couple from Florida ‘stated that they would kill her because they waited over an hour and a half to be seated,’ according to the affidavit obtained by Powell Tribune.
He also recalled the couple saying, “They would kill her if she stood up to their faces.”
The alleged threats against his wife are what led Randel Hooper to pursue the man and woman who had left Cassie’s in anger to return to the Big Bear Motel.
The affidavit also states that once tensions appeared to subside between all parties involved, Randel Hooper yelled a death threat within earshot of the officers.
“You better arrest them or I’ll come back and kill them,” he allegedly yelled at Villalobos.
Cassie’s Steakhouse became a fixture in Cody during the 1940s and was purchased by the Hoopers in 2022. It has deep history and Western decor inside and out, making it popular with tourists.
Pictured: The interior of Cassie’s Steakhouse, which has a stage for live music.
At Courtney Hooper’s request, officers at the scene told the Floridians they were no longer welcome at Cassie’s and shortly after, everyone split up, according to the affidavit.
Normally, that would be where this ends, but police were sent to the motel less than an hour later after receiving reports that the Hoopers were there causing a disturbance.
The Hoopers drove to the Big Bear Motel and allegedly confronted the Florida couple’s traveling companion. The man reportedly told them to leave and began recording, which angered Courtney Hooper.
In the video, she allegedly tells the man recording her that if he doesn’t stop, she will shoot him. Officers say they viewed this video and confirmed these deadly threats.
Meanwhile, Randel Hooper is alleged to have said, “You better leave Cody or else.”
Randel Hooper is accused of assaulting Villalobos a short time later while he and his wife were arrested at Cassie’s home.
While Courtney Hooper showed up without incident, Randel Hooper “actively resisted arrest” and began “fighting” with Officer Tom Wilshusen in the restaurant parking lot, according to the affidavit.
Courtney Hooper is alleged to have threatened to shoot the Florida couple’s traveling companion because he was recording her. Randel Hooper allegedly told them that they “better leave Cody or else”
Villalobos wrote that he took control of Hooper’s legs, causing him and Wilshusen to fall to the ground.
During that fight, Hooper kicked Villalobos in the head, causing bleeding on the top of his head and elbow.
There was no evidence that the Hoopers were intoxicated, Park County Assistant Prosecutor Jack Hatfield said during an arraignment Friday morning.
The Hoopers were in prison until that arraignment, where it was also revealed that Randel Hooper had resisted an officer in 2004 in Utah.
His wife had no criminal record, but Hatfield was equally baffled by her behavior, saying he was “very concerned because (she) threatened to kill people on two separate occasions within about an hour.”
Park County Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah set Randel Hooper’s bail at $5,000 cash or surety and Courtney Hooper’s at $2,500 cash or surety, denying the defense’s request to allow the couple You will be left with signed guarantees.
Signed bonds ensure that the defendant does not have to pay a monetary amount for bail.
Randel Hooper’s first court date was set for June 28, while his wife’s trial will begin Nov. 14.
While on bond, the Hoopers were ordered to stay away from the Big Bear Motel and have no contact with the couple they allegedly threatened to kill.
