Reno robbery suspect dies after shootout with police

RENO (AP) — A man who shot and wounded a shopper while robbing a drug store died after a gunbattle with police near a Reno casino.

The man died Sunday night at a Reno medical center and the male shopper was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, said Bob Harmon, a Washoe County sheriff’s spokesman. Their names have not been released.

The suspect fled in a vehicle after robbing a CVS Pharmacy on Saturday evening, exchanging gunfire with officers in an ensuing chase, investigators said.

The pursuit continued to an area near the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, where a shootout left the suspect mortally wounded. No officers were injured.

Witness Jill Slove told KRNV-TV that officers blew out one of the suspect’s back tires.

“We ran down the street over here to the Peppermill, and all the sudden, we heard 30 shots and then the guy got out of his car and they shot him dead,” she said.

Officers involved in the shooting have been placed on routine paid administrative leave.

Maurice Caldwell of Sacramento, California, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that he was parked outside the CVS when people rushed out like a tornado. He told police he saw a man run out of the store, jump in a truck and speed off toward the casino.

The sheriff’s office, the district attorney’s office and the Reno and Sparks police departments are conducting a joint investigation.