BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Carson City Sheriff's deputies detain Raymond Nattrass, 17, after he and two others allegedly jumped a Department of Public Safety peace officer and wrestled away his gun. This photograph was withheld from Thursday's paper after police reported that Nattrass was a juvenile. On Friday, Nattrass was certified as an adult, and will be tried as an adult on various felony charges, including principal to attempted murder.
A teenager involved in an alleged attempted murder of a Department of Public Safety captain learned Friday he will be tried as an adult.
Raymond Cuthbert Nattrass, 17, is being held in the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony principal to attempted murder, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a police officer, using false identification to avoid prosecution and an El Dorado County warrant for being a felony fugitive from justice.
Under Nevada law, Nattrass is automatically certified as an adult because attempted murder is not considered a delinquent act.
Justice of the Peace Robey Willis noted that Nattrass is being held without bail on the El Dorado County warrant.
"They say they put the warrant out because you cut off your ankle bracelet for a crime down there," he said. Because that offense was adjudicated in the juvenile courts, the records are not open for public inspection.
Willis said if the no-bail hold is lifted by California, Nattrass' Carson City bail will be set at $100,000.
According to police reports, Raymond Nattrass, his brother William Nattrass, 21, and friend Vivian Leman, 28, were intoxicated and arguing outside the DPS Records and Technology offices on Nye Lane about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Department Capt. P.K. O'Neill went outside to break up the dispute when one of the three made a move as if they were going to pull out a weapon, the report states.
The veteran peace officer said he drew his duty revolver on the three. When he reholstered his weapon, the three allegedly jumped him, wrestling his weapon away.
Raymond Nattrass' arrest report indicates he "kicked and punched (O'Neill) while his brother took his duty weapon."
O'Neill told investigators that as he struggled with Raymond Nattrass and Leman, William Nattrass placed the weapon to O'Neill's head and tried to pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire because the safety was on, reports indicate.
Raymond Nattrass was initially booked into the juvenile detention center because he allegedly gave police the identification of his 15-year-old brother, said Deputy Daniel Gonzales. When officers learned his true identity, they also discovered the felony warrant out of El Dorado County, Gonzales said. He was transferred to the adult jail on Thursday afternoon.
A preliminary hearing for all three is set for Nov. 28.
• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.