On October 19, 2021, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Law Enforcement Officers from multiple agencies were involved in an officer involved shooting in the area of Golden Valley Drive and US Highway 395.
The shooting took place after Detectives with the regional Repeat Offender Program (ROP) team attempted to stop a wanted subject, identified yesterday by the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office as Richard Thomas, in the area of North Virginia and Golden Valley Drive. Thomas fled from Detectives in his vehicle and collided with an unmarked police unit. One Detective was pinned between Thomas’ vehicle and a stationary police vehicle. Another Detective, who was attempting to detain Thomas, was still partially in Thomas’ vehicle as Thomas fled the area at high speed. Shots were fired as Thomas fled. Thomas’ vehicle came to rest near the south-bound on ramp to US 395 and Golden Valley Drive. Two Detectives, one with the Reno Police Department and one with the Sparks Police Department fired their duty weapon during the incident.
One Detective sustained minor injuries after falling from a speeding vehicle during the incident. The injured Detective was transported to the hospital and later released.
Richard Thomas was fatally wounded during the incident. Thomas was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for a firearms charge.
The ROP team is comprised of Detectives from the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
This is an ongoing investigation as the Washoe County Regional Officer Involved Shooting Protocol has been enacted. The investigation involves Investigators from the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office.
