For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1600054 |
| Date Issued: | Jul 05, 2016 - 10:38am |
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Update: Washoe County Sheriff's Office leads investigation of officer involved shooting in downtown Reno |
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| CONTACT: | Deputy Jeff McCaskill Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-328-6370 Cell 775-771-8252 |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office reports that the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the decedent from the July 3rd, 2016 Officer Involved Shooting incident as Raul Saavedra-Vargas.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who may have information useful to this case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320.
From a press release distributed on July 3, 2016:
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is leading a regional investigation of an Officer Involved Shooting that occurred this afternoon in the area of E. Plaza Street and N. Virginia Street in Reno.
The incident began at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2016 when a Reno Police Department Motor Unit attempted to make a traffic stop on a silver minivan in the area on Kuenzli Street and E. 2nd Street. The minivan failed to yield, proceeding west toward downtown Reno.
The minivan then approached Virginia Street from East Plaza Street. At the time, Virginia Street was closed to vehicle traffic and crowded with pedestrians attending the Biggest Little City Wingfest.
As the minivan approached Virginia Street from East Plaza, a Reno Police Officer, who was on foot in the area, fired on the vehicle. The minivan turned on to the 300 block of North Virginia Street where it came to a stop.
The driver of the minivan was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased. Cause of death is still under investigation.
No civilians or officers were injured during the incident.
In accordance with the Regional Officer Involved Shooting protocol, a team comprised of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Sparks Police Department, Reno Police Department, and Washoe County District Attorney's Office is conducting a joint investigation into the shooting.
Additional details will become available as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information regarding this case 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.