Owners of iconic restaurant are busted after ‘threatening to kill customers’ in Wild West-style duel over wait times

The owners of a Western-style steakhouse in Wyoming got into a confrontation with tourists that authorities say escalated into death threats and a serious assault on a police officer.

Couple Randel and Courtney Hooper have been running Cassie’s Steakhouse in Cody since 2022, but their peaceful stint as restaurant owners came to an abrupt end Wednesday when a couple from Florida came to visit. Cowboy stands daily reported.

After Courtney Hooper, 42, claimed the customers were angry with their service and threatened to kill her, both Hoopers followed them back to the nearby Big Bear Motel to make their own threats.

Officers on the scene from the Cody Police Department said Courtney Hooper threatened to shoot a man who filmed her multiple times, adding that her husband also hurled profanity-laced fighting words.

The Hoopers were arrested a short time later at Cassie’s, where Randel Hooper allegedly kicked Cody police officer Daniel Villalobos in the head so hard that he had to be taken to the hospital for his injuries.

For the alleged attack on Villalobos, Randel Hooper, 56, was charged with a misdemeanor and faced up to 10 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.

Both Hoopers are facing multiple misdemeanor charges in connection with this incident and have been released on bail.

This saga officially began Wednesday at 8:47 p.m. when Cody police officers received a disturbance call coming from Cassie, according to a charging affidavit written by Officer Villalobos.

Cassie’s became a fixture in Cody in the 1940s and was purchased by the Hoopers in 2022. It has a deep history and western decor inside and out, making it a popular stop for tourists.

When Villalobos arrived, Courtney Hooper told him that a Florida couple “declared they were going to kill her because they waited over an hour and a half to be seated,” according to the affidavit obtained by Powell Stand.

She also recalled the couple saying, “They would kill her if she got in their face.”

The alleged threats against his wife caused Randel Hooper to pursue the man and woman who had left Cassie’s in a huff to return to Big Bear Motel.

The affidavit also alleges that once tensions between all parties involved seemed to subside, Randel Hooper shouted a death threat within earshot of the officers.

“You better arrest them or I’ll come back and kill them,” he allegedly shouted at Villalobos.

Cassie’s Steakhouse became a fixture in Cody in the 1940s and was purchased by the Hoopers in 2022. It has a deep history and western decor inside and out, making it popular with tourists

Pictured: The interior of Cassie’s Steakhouse, with a stage for live music

At Courtney Hooper’s request, officers on the scene told the Floridians they were no longer welcome at Cassie’s and everyone dispersed soon after, according to the affidavit.

Normally this would be where this ends, but less than an hour later police were called to the motel after reports that the Hoopers were causing a disturbance there.

The Hoopers drove to Big Bear Motel and allegedly confronted the couple’s male traveling companion from Florida. The man reportedly told them to leave and started recording, causing Courtney Hooper to fly into a rage.

In the video, she tells the man recording her that she would shoot him if he didn’t stop. Officers say they reviewed this video and confirmed these deadly threats.

Meanwhile, Randel Hooper reportedly said, “You better leave Cody or else.”

Randel Hooper is accused of attacking Villalobos a short time later while he and his wife were being arrested at Cassie’s home.

While Courtney Hooper surrendered without incident, Randel Hooper “actively resisted arrest” and began “struggling” with Officer Tom Wilshusen in the restaurant parking lot, the affidavit said.

Courtney Hooper allegedly threatened to shoot the couple’s traveling companion from Florida because he was filming her. Randel Hooper allegedly told them they ‘better leave Cody or else’

Villalobos wrote that he gained control of Hooper’s legs, causing him and Wilshusen to fall to the ground.

During that struggle, Hooper kicked Villalobos in the head, causing bleeding on the top of his head and on his elbow.

There was no evidence the Hoopers were drunk, Park County Deputy Attorney Jack Hatfield said during an arraignment Friday morning.

The Hoopers remained in jail until that arraignment, where it was also revealed that Randel Hooper had resisted an officer in Utah in 2004.

His wife had no criminal history, but Hatfield was equally unnerved by her behavior and said he was ‘very concerned about it’ [her] made threats to kill people on two separate occasions within about an hour.”

Park County Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah set Randel Hooper’s bond at $5,000 cash or surety, and Courtney Hooper’s at $2,500 cash or surety, and rejected the defense’s plea to let the couple go on signature bonds .

Signature bonds ensure that the defendant does not have to pay any amount of money for bail.

Randel Hooper’s first trial was scheduled for June 28, while his wife’s trial is set to begin on November 14.

While on bail, the Hoopers have been ordered to stay away from the Big Bear Motel and have no contact with the couple they allegedly threatened to kill.