SPARKS, NV — Authorities in Washoe County say a police shooting in Sparks early Tuesday set off a vehicle pursuit, a crash and hours of road closures near McCarran Boulevard and Victorian Avenue. The person officers tried to stop was wanted on a felony battery charge involving a deadly weapon.
Investigators say Sparks officers attempted a traffic stop on Kleppe Lane just before 9:30 a.m. The driver fled, nearly hit a Sparks police officer, and was then shot at by officers before continuing away in the vehicle.
The chase ended after the vehicle struck a Reno Police Department patrol car near the busy intersection west of downtown Sparks. One Reno officer was hurt in the incident, while no other injuries have been reported.
Traffic stop on Kleppe Lane escalates into gunfire and flight
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said Sparks officers were trying to stop a car driven by a suspect wanted on a felony charge of battery with a deadly weapon. When officers made the attempt on Kleppe Lane, the driver did not stop and instead drove away from the scene.
Deputies said the car nearly struck a Sparks police officer during the getaway. At that point, officers shot at the vehicle, but the driver kept going and continued trying to escape through city streets.
Officials have not said how many shots were fired or which officer fired them. The sheriff’s office is leading the investigation, with help from Reno police under the regional officer-involved shooting protocol.
Chase ends after patrol car collision near Victorian and McCarran
Police said the pursuit moved toward the intersection of McCarran Boulevard and Victorian Avenue, where the fleeing car hit a Reno Police Department patrol car. That collision injured a Reno officer, who was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
After the crash, the suspect got out of the vehicle and ran. The car kept rolling without anyone inside and later crashed on its own, according to investigators.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody and also transported to a local hospital. Authorities said the person had non-life-threatening injuries and was treated for reported minor injuries.
Large police response shuts down major Sparks roads
The shooting, pursuit and crash brought a heavy law enforcement response to the area around 10 a.m. Emergency vehicles lined Victorian Avenue, and police activity centered on three vehicles along McCarran Boulevard.
By Tuesday afternoon, southbound McCarran Boulevard at Nichols Boulevard and westbound Victorian Avenue at McCarran Boulevard were still closed. Police said the shutdown began at 10 a.m. and could last for several hours.
Drivers were asked to find alternate routes while the scene remained active. Sparks police, Reno police, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and REMSA were all on scene as crews worked around the investigation.
Regional officer-involved shooting protocol takes over the case
The Regional Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol was activated after the incident, turning the investigation over to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office with support from Reno police. That process is used when a use-of-force event involving law enforcement needs an outside investigation.
Investigators said there are no outstanding suspects and no known threat to the public. The case remains active while detectives gather statements, evidence and other information from the scene.
Once the investigation is finished, it will be submitted to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office for review. That review will follow the completion of the sheriff’s office investigation.
Witnesses asked to contact detectives or Secret Witness
Officials are asking anyone who saw the shooting, the chase or the crash to come forward with information. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division is taking tips at 775-328-3320.
People with information can also contact Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. Investigators asked callers to reference case number WC26-5137.
Authorities have not identified the suspect by name. They also have not said what prompted the original traffic-stop attempt beyond the outstanding felony battery with a deadly weapon charge.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
