Carson window shootings could be charged as felonies

A man charged in Douglas County with shooting pellets at a passing motorist and a fire station could be charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors in Carson City if investigators here can tie him to 28 shootings of businesses, cars and emergency vehicles Monday afternoon.

David Scott Killen, 22, is being held in the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and gross misdemeanor destruction of property.

According to Sgt. Tom Mezzetta of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Killen is suspected of breaking dozens of windows on vehicles and businesses in Stateline, Carson City, Minden and Gardnerville.

The first report came about 12:30 p.m. Monday in Stateline when the driver of a vehicle on Highway 50 West at Zephyr Cove reported a window was shot out by a small black car traveling east. A second similar report followed shortly after.

Between 1 and 3 p.m., 28 Carson City businesses are believed to have fallen victim to the shooting spree.

Where a vehicle was seen, it was described as a small black car with a white sticker and a spoiler on the back. A photograph from surveillance cameras at the Nugget showed that same car in its parking lot when a window was shot out on a vehicle in the handicapped parking spaces.

Among the targets hit were a Carson City fire engine and the truck of Battalion Chief Richard Chrzanowski as they passed in front of the Carson Mall, said Fire Chief Stacey Giomi.

Without knowing about the other shootings, the fire department assumed they were the intended target and locked down the fire stations as a precaution, he said.

Nevada law states that any damages exceeding $5,000 or as a result of the assault on the fire engine and chief's vehicle could be charged as felonies.

According to Nevada Revised Statute, damages between $250 and $5,000 are a gross misdemeanor and damages between $25 and $250 are a misdemeanor.

Where the value of the loss is $5,000 or more or where the damage results in impairment of public communication, transportation or police and fire protection, it is a felony.

"The pellet hit the windshield pretty much in line with the driver's head (on the engine) and it made a hole in the windshield," said Chrzanowski. "On my vehicle, it made like a stone chip."

He said the engine is still in use while the $2,800 windshield is on order. Once it arrives, the rig will be out of commission for at least a day for the repair.

Killen was arrested about 3:30 p.m. after allegedly shooting a pellet at a female driver as she passed him at the intersection of Riverview Drive and Dresslerville Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos, said Mezzetta.

When officers stopped Killen's black Pontiac Sunfire nearby, the woman placed Killen under citizen's arrest. Since the projectile that struck her vehicle is believed to have come from Killen's driver's window, the passenger, Dylan Gregory, 21, was allowed to leave, said Carson City Sheriff's Detective Keith Bopko.

The investigation in Carson City continues. No charges have been filed here.

Killen will appear in court this morning in Douglas County.