A jury has convicted Nicholas “Nicki” Nevarez (dob 10/24/94) of Second Degree Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. The verdict came on the two-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of the victim, Jalawrence Holden.

On October 2, 2022, Nevarez was walking from her room at the Virginian in downtown Reno towards the Cal Neva parking garage, when she passed the victim and some friends hanging out in front of Reno City Hall. The pair exchanged some minimal, nonthreatening words, and the defendant then chose to return to her apartment and retrieve her AR15-style pistol. After putting the firearm in a crossbody bag, Nevarez went back outside and once again approached the group, keeping the gun concealed until drawing it when she was about 15 feet away from Holden. In an attempt to save his own life, the victim grabbed the barrel of the gun but was fatally shot three times.

During the investigation, the defendant claimed the victim attempted to attack her, but no other evidence corroborated that claim. Additionally, Nevarez repeatedly used racially charged language when referring to the victim and his friends. Deputy District Attorney Jeff Hoppe highlighted both the malice that the defendant showed towards Holden and his friends by referring to them as “ghetto animals,” as well as the premeditation of Nevarez leaving the initial exchange of words with the victim to her home and then returning with a gun.

DDA Hoppe argued for First Degree Murder in the case. Sentencing is set for December 5, 2024 before the Honorable Judge David Hardy.