Murder suspect in Fallon faces arraignment

FALLON — One man is dead and a female acquaintance seriously injured after a stabbing at the Overland Hotel on Tuesday night.

Fallon police arrested a suspect identified as Mitchell Keith Goodrum, 55, a transient who had moved to Fallon on March 16 from Washington state. He has been charged with open murder and battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm against 72-year-old Warren Edward Butler. Goodrum is being held at the Churchill County Jail. Bail was set at $1,050,000.

He appears in Justice Court this morning for arraignment.

According to the Fallon Police Department, the stabbing occurred at about 6:20 p.m. at the historic hotel and bar on East Center Street.

Capt. Ron Wenger said dispatch received a call at about 6:20 p.m. a man was bleeding at the Overland Hotel. Within a minute, an officer arrived at the scene, and paramedics from Banner Churchill Community Hospital were en route.

Wenger said an employee of the hotel’s restaurant, Shirley Ng, 41, of Fernley was doing work there. Wenger said Goodrum, a hotel resident, came into the dining area where a dispute occurred between him and Ng. Another male hotel guest who was in the dining area became involved in the dispute.

“The suspect pulled a knife and started stabbing numerous times,” Wenger said. “The victim succumbed to his injuries at Banner.”

Wenger said an autopsy was performed on the victim Thursday by the Washoe County medical examiner.

Wenger said police officers have talked to eyewitnesses and will contact other individuals who may have known Goodrum when he lived in Washington. He said officers are trying to piece together the sequence of events that led to the man’s death and Ng’s injuries, which are believed to be non life-threatening. Wenger said Care Flight transported Ng to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. But officers have been unable to interview her.

Wenger said the Washoe County Crime Lab traveled to Fallon to assist at the crime scene.

The Overland Hotel is no stranger to violent altercations.

In November 2016, Fallon police reported in a statement Carl Lemos, 60, of Fallon entered the Overland Hotel’s bar and assaulted owner David Barkley with a knife. Lemos was previously removed from the Overland. FPD said the Fallon man returned a short time later and assaulted Barkley, causing substantial injury.

The FPD said paramedics treated Barkley and took him to Banner Churchill. He was then transported to Renown where he was treated for cuts to the neck area.

FPD charged Lemos with battery causing substantial harm and battery with a deadly weapon. According to court documents, Lemos underwent an evaluation, and the court judged him competent to face the charges. The Churchill County District Attorney’s office said he remains in the Churchill County Jail on $80,000 bail and will appear in Justice Court on May 25.

In 2012, two Idaho men appeared in Justice Court before Justice of the Peace Mike Richards to face murder charges, accused of beating and killing Harvey Olson, 61, and beating Rick Johnson, 51, on Jan. 22, 2012. The two Idaho men eventually received probation on a lesser charge in District Court.

According to court records of Aug. 20, 2013, Kevin Travis, who entered an Alford plea to one count of conspiracy to commit battery, a gross misdemeanor, received 364 days in jail, which was suspended.

His son, Kevin Travis, also entered an Alford plea to one count of attempt to commit involuntary manslaughter, a felony. His suspended sentence consisted of 18 to 48 months in prison. Both men were each ordered to pay $31,472.71 in restitution plus additional court fines.

On Sept. 13, 2013, the FPD received a call indicating a shooting had occurred at the Overland Hotel. Officers arrived to find Holly Wilcox, 30, of Fallon, had a gunshot wound to her arm. Wilcox was transported to Banner Churchill for treatment and released.

Reno police arrested Justin James Lovett, 32, almost two weeks after the incident.

Lovett was on the run after the shooting and Justice Court issued three warrants for his arrest. They included assault with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon and trafficking in a schedule I controlled substance more than 28 grams (methamphetamine).

Wenger said Lovett was eventually sentenced up to 14 years to the Nevada State Prison in June 2014.