For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1400088 |
| Date Issued: | Sep 02, 2014 - 4:57pm |
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Washoe County Sheriff's Office updates Officer Involved Shooting investigation |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office has completed formal identification and next of kin notifications for the suspect involved in Sunday's officer involved shooting incident on South Virginia Street in Reno. The suspect involved in the officer shooting has been positively identified as Royal Shawn Bingaman, age 42, of Nampa, Idaho.
Bingaman was wanted by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in Pioche for narcotics offenses and had been living in a motel in Reno.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office continues to lead the Regional Officer Involved Shooting team investigation with assistance from the Sparks Police Department.
According to investigators, at approximately 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2014, officers from the Reno Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery and shooting at the CVS pharmacy located on Plumb Lane just east of Virginia Street.
Officers located one victim of a gunshot wound outside the pharmacy, inside the Shopper's Square Mall. The victim, a male adult, was transported to a local hospital.
The suspect had fled the scene of the shooting in a truck. A witness flagged down officers in the area of Mt. Rose Street and identified the truck. Following the citizen's information, officers located the truck driving northbound on South Virginia near Mt Rose Street. The suspect disregarded the officer's attempts to stop him.
At Topaz Drive and Wrondel Way, officers that had been pursuing the suspect saw him outside of the truck at the end of a cul-de-sac. As officers approached on foot, the suspect entered the truck and drove toward the officers. The officers fired several rounds at the suspect and his vehicle. Other responding officers saw the truck and re-initiated pursuit.
The pursuit continued, with the suspect driving recklessly and ignoring traffic safety signals. In the area of Hubbard Way and South Virginia Street, the suspect slowed and exited the still-moving vehicle on the passenger side. Officers saw the suspect heading for the doors of the Peppermill Casino. Officers attempted to subdue the suspect, however the suspect continued towards the casino door. At this time, officers saw that the suspect was holding a handgun and fired on the suspect believing him to be an imminent threat to public safety.
Officers attempted to perform life-saving measures on the suspect until he could be transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Detectives are now attempting to locate the witness who flagged down officers near Mt Rose Street and South Virginia in order to obtain additional information. The witness is described as a black male adult driving a gold-colored sedan. Anyone with information about the witness, or this incident, is asked to call the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.