Two Douglas County Commissioners get into altercation during Lake Tahoe meeting

STATELINE, Nev. - There was an altercation between two members of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, May 16 at a meeting in Stateline at Lake Tahoe.

The incident happened at around 5:55 p.m. and involved two board members, Commissioner Chairman Barry Penzel and Commissioner John Engels.

According to a Douglas County Undersheriff Ron Elges, the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the commissioners meeting at Stateline for a heated argument. A few minutes later an altercation broke out. Both parties were separated on their own, only minor injuries were reported.

This is a current open investigation and no further information will be provided at this time, according to the news release. The case will be referred to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Prior to the altercation, the commissioners were making personal attacks between each other, and to members of the public.

An observer in the audience said one of the commissioners had a skin tear.