Reno police officer shoots man driving van towards pedestian filled street

A driver of a minivan that was headed to a closed Reno Street full of pedestrians on Saturday was shot and killed by a police officer on foot.

The incident began at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 when a Reno Police Department Motor Unit attempted to make a traffic stop on a silver minivan in the area on Kuenzli Street and E. 2nd Street. The minivan failed to yield, proceeding west toward downtown Reno.

The minivan then approached Virginia Street from East Plaza Street. At the time, Virginia Street was closed to vehicle traffic and crowded with pedestrians attending the Biggest Little City Wingfest.

As the minivan approached Virginia Street from East Plaza, a Reno Police Officer, who was on foot in the area, fired on the vehicle. The minivan turned on to the 300 block of North Virginia Street where it came to a stop.

The driver of the minivan was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased. Cause of death is still under investigation.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead on the Officer Involved Shooting.

No civilians or officers were injured during the incident.

In accordance with the Regional Officer Involved Shooting protocol, a team comprised of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Sparks Police Department, Reno Police Department, and Washoe County District Attorney's Office is conducting a joint investigation into the shooting.

Additional details will become available as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.