SPARKS, NV — Authorities say a Tuesday morning police shooting in Sparks led to a vehicle pursuit, a crash and a large response from local law enforcement near McCarran Boulevard and Victorian Avenue.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office says Sparks officers tried to stop a vehicle on Kleppe Lane after identifying the driver as a suspect wanted on a felony battery-with-a-deadly-weapon charge. Investigators say the driver pulled away from the scene, nearly hit a Sparks police officer, and was then shot at.
Despite the gunfire, the suspect kept driving. The vehicle later struck a Reno Police Department patrol car, injuring one Reno officer, before the suspect got out and ran. The person was later taken into custody.
How the traffic stop on Kleppe Lane escalated
According to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when Sparks officers tried to stop a car on Kleppe Lane Tuesday morning. The driver was believed to be wanted on a felony battery-with-a-deadly-weapon charge.
Deputies say the driver did not stop. Instead, the car sped away and came close to hitting a Sparks police officer during the encounter. That is when officers fired at the vehicle, investigators said.
The exact sequence of events remains under review, but officials have described the confrontation as a police shooting tied to an attempted traffic stop. Sparks police originally said they got a call just before 9:30 a.m. reporting officers had been involved in a shooting on Kleppe Lane.
Pursuit ends after crash near McCarran and Victorian
After leaving Kleppe Lane, the suspect drove through the area and was pursued by responding officers. The chase ended in a crash near the intersection of McCarran Boulevard and Victorian Avenue, according to Sparks police.
Police said the vehicle hit a Reno Police Department patrol car before the driver got out and ran. The unoccupied vehicle kept rolling and then crashed.
The crash and earlier gunfire brought a heavy law enforcement presence to the area around 10 a.m. Emergency vehicles lined Victorian Avenue, while officers concentrated around three vehicles on McCarran Boulevard.
Officials also reported that no additional injuries were connected to the incident beyond the injuries already described. The scene remained active as investigators processed the area.
Suspect taken to hospital and Reno officer evaluated
Authorities say the suspect was eventually arrested and taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Sparks police said the person suffered minor injuries, while the later Washoe County Sheriff’s Office update described the injuries as non-life-threatening.
The Reno Police Department officer involved in the crash was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after being hurt during the incident. Officials did not immediately release more information about the extent of that officer’s injuries.
No other injuries were reported. Investigators have not said whether the suspect’s injuries came from the shooting, the crash, or both, and they have not released the person’s name.
Road closures kept drivers away from the scene
The response forced closures at Southbound McCarran Boulevard at Nichols Boulevard and westbound Victorian Avenue at McCarran Boulevard. Police said the restrictions began at 10 a.m. and could last for several hours.
Drivers were told to use another route while the investigation continued. The road closures were meant to keep the area clear for law enforcement, emergency crews and investigators working the scene.
Sparks police, Reno police, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and REMSA were all present. The scene involved multiple agencies because of the shooting, the pursuit, the crash and the medical response.
Washoe County sheriff leads investigation under officer-involved shooting protocol
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with Reno police assisting. Officials said the Regional Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol was activated after the shooting.
The case remains active and ongoing, and authorities said there are no outstanding suspects or known threats to the public. Once investigators finish their work, the case will be turned over to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone who saw the incident or has information is being asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 and reference case number WC26-5137.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
