Homicide, shooting on U.S. 395; suspect caught

Washoe County Sheriff's deputies are still investigating a homicide along HIghway 395 in Washoe Valley, that ended in a chase, and the arrest of the suspected killer.

At about 12:35 p.m. today, a man shot another man in the northbound lanes in Washoe County, leaving the victim's body lying near the fence, according to Washoe County Sheriff's Deputy Brooke Keast.

A passerby on 395 stopped saw the body lying in the ditch, and stopped his vehicle. As he was trying to render aid, the shooter returned and shot the good Samaritan, police said.

Washoe Sheriff's Deputy Brooke Keast said the Samaritan was able to give a description of the shooter's vehicle. He was transported to a Reno hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

Washoe Sheriff's Deputies, Carson City Sheriff's Deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers located the suspect vehicle in the area of Franktown Road off Old 395 and gave chase. The suspect left his vehicle and fled on foot, discarding his clothes and large amounts of cash, according to police.

A Washoe deputy and his K-9 located the suspect hidden in brush behind a home on Bellevue Drive.

Traffic northbound at 395 is being diverted to East Lake Boulevard and was backed up for several hours all the way to Carson-Tahoe Regional Healthcare.

Keast said the names of the suspect and two victims will likely not be released today.

The suspect, however, is described as a Hispanic male from Carson City.

Carson City investigators are assisting in the investigation and at 8 p.m. were awaiting a warrant to search a room at the Gold Dust West Casino on Highway 50 East.

The connection to the room was not clear, but Sheriff Ken Furlong confirmed it is related to the Washoe Valley incident.

Keast said Search and Rescue crews are combing the area for evidence.

She said a weapon was found near the scene, but it has yet to be determined to be the murder weapon.