Deputy named in fatal shooting

FERNLEY - The name of a Lyon County Sheriff's deputy involved in a fatal shooting in Fernley was released Wednesday.

Deputy Mike Gagne, a 17-year veteran of the department, is on paid administrative leave until internal and criminal investigations into the shooting are completed, said Capt. Allan Veil.

On Tuesday, Gagne, another deputy and a lieutenant responded to the Trails End Trailer Park at 100 Dallas Lane at 3:22 p.m. on the report of a man pointing a gun at a 10-year-old neighbor.

"Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a male subject in space 31," Veil said. "Lyon County dispatch was advised of 'shots fired,' shortly after the arrival of deputies."

Joshua A. Brinkley, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation, Brinkley allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at one or more of the deputies before Gagne was allegedly "forced to shoot," Veil said.

Citing the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation, Veil declined to release any findings from the autopsy performed on Brinkley on Wednesday, and also did not release if Brinkley's weapon was loaded or if he ever fired any shots.

Veil said witnesses have reported Brinkley was intoxicated and not only pointed a gun at the child, but also allegedly followed the boy and made threats to "kill" him.

"This is a homicide investigation. It's our job to determine if it was justified," Veil said.

-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.