His vehicle was still parked at a pull-off in front of the Evaro Community Center, and dozens of law enforcement officials combed the scene as cold wind whipped over the snow. Multiple bullet holes were visible on the car's windshield and on the passenger side.

Dennis Finnegan, a bartender at the Evaro Bar and Casino, said he didn't hear any shots fired early Friday morning. Because investigators blocked off Highway 93 after the incident, Finnegan had to sleep at the bar.

"I guess one of the other bartenders heard gunshots, because she lives up here, but she's taking her kids to school now," he said.

None of the law enforcement personnel on the scene at Evaro Hill on Friday spoke on the record to the media except to respectfully ask for discretion when taking pictures of a crime scene.

Just before noon, the trooper's vehicle was towed away.