A Morgan Hill man was shot and killed by police in Reno, Nev., after he drove a vehicle into a large crowd of people attending the Wing Fest event in the city’s downtown and failed to stop for officers, according to authorities.
Three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the incident, which happened about 1:30 p.m. July 3.
In a July 7 press release, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased man as Raul Saavedra-Vargas, 24 of Morgan Hill.
The incident began when a Reno Police motorcycle officer saw a white minivan driving the wrong way on East Second Street, the press release states. When an officer attempted to make a traffic stop, Saavedra-Vargas did not pull over his vehicle.
The minivan continued to travel the wrong way through downtown Reno on East Commercial Row, a one-way street, according to police. As the vehicle continued the wrong way, it struck another vehicle which was occupied by two people.
The minivan left the scene of the accident and turned west on Plaza Street toward Virginia Street, police said. At the time of the incident, Virginia Street was closed to vehicle traffic to accommodate pedestrian crowds attending the Biggest Little City Wing Fest.
As the minivan approached Virginia Street, a Reno Police officer working in the area fired on the vehicle, according to police. The vehicle turned north into the crowd of people, and eventually came to a stop.
Officers on the scene approached the minivan and Saavedra-Vargas, and began performing first aid on the driver, police said. Saavedra-Vargas was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
No civilians or officers were injured during the incident.
Three Reno PD officers are on administrative leave. 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.
Anyone with information about the incident can call the sheriff’s office at (775) 328-3320 or the anonymous line at (775) 322-4900.
