Reno police and partner agencies responded Thursday night after officers located a homicide suspect from Montana whose vehicle was stopped and surrounded in northwest Reno. The incident occurred in the area of Sharlands Avenue at about 9 p.m., according to a Reno Police Department spokesperson.
What happened
Officers found the suspect's car and blocked it in, according to the department. After surrounding the vehicle, officers reported hearing a single gunshot and then moved back to secure the scene. Reinforcements were summoned, and the University of Nevada, Reno Police Department deployed a drone as part of the response. The drone footage and on-scene checks later confirmed the occupant had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"The investigation is active and ongoing," the Reno Police Department said in a statement.
Agencies on scene
Reno police said multiple agencies assisted at the scene. Local residents reported seeing an increased law enforcement presence in the northwest neighborhood as officers established a perimeter and conducted their work.
- Reno Police Department — initial contact and scene management
- Regional Narcotics Unit — responded to assist
- Washoe County Sheriff's Office — provided support
- University of Nevada, Reno Police Department — deployed a drone
Local context and next steps
The suspect has not been identified publicly while authorities notify next of kin, and no additional information has been released. The Reno Police Department emphasized that the matter is under active investigation; investigators will be examining the circumstances that led officers to stop and surround the vehicle, as well as the sequence of events after the shot was heard.
For neighbors in the Sharlands Avenue area, the visible police activity served as a reminder of active law enforcement operations that can briefly affect traffic and public anxiety. Investigations of this kind typically include evidence collection, interviews with witnesses, review of body-worn and aerial video, and coordination among agencies.
| Detail | Known information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sharlands Avenue, northwest Reno |
| Time | About 9 p.m., Thursday |
| Outcome | Suspect dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound |
| Agencies involved | Reno PD, Regional Narcotics Unit, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, UNRPD |
News Block will follow this developing story and provide updates when Reno police release additional details, including the identity of the deceased and any findings from the ongoing investigation.
