SPARKS, NV — Police in Sparks have released critical incident video showing a shooting, vehicle pursuit and crash that unfolded earlier this month after officers tried to stop a suspect wanted on a felony battery-related charge. The man, identified as 38-year-old Rodrigo Valle-Gonzalez of Battle Mountain, was shot at after authorities say he drove away from officers and nearly struck one of them.
The encounter ended with Valle-Gonzalez arrested near McCarran Boulevard and Victorian Avenue. Authorities said he was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries before being booked into the Washoe County Detention Facility on multiple charges. One Reno police officer was injured during the incident and later was being evaluated at a hospital, according to investigators.
Traffic stop on Kleppe Lane escalates as suspect drives away
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said Sparks officers tried to conduct a traffic stop on Kleppe Lane on a person wanted on a felony charge of battery with a deadly weapon. Officials said the driver then pulled away from the scene instead of stopping, setting off the sequence that drew multiple law enforcement agencies to the area.
According to investigators, the suspect drove from officers and came close to striking a Sparks police officer. That moment led to gunfire, though the suspect kept moving. Authorities have said the original call came shortly before 9:30 a.m., and the confrontation soon spread into a wider pursuit through nearby streets.
Drone footage shows truck circling a building and striking barriers
Video released by Sparks police shows a truck pulling a trailer as it drove away from officers, circled a building and collided with it. Authorities say the vehicle continued forward after the shooting and later hit a fence and a Reno Police patrol vehicle. The crash sequence is part of the critical incident video now being reviewed publicly.
Police said the truck was driven by Valle-Gonzalez. The footage also captures the vehicle continuing even after the suspect had been shot at. Officials warned that the video includes graphic images and explicit language, and viewer discretion is advised. The release is part of the public record surrounding the officer-involved shooting.
Reno officer injured before suspect runs from abandoned vehicle
Authorities said the pursuit turned more dangerous when the suspect struck a Reno police patrol vehicle, injuring a Reno officer. The officer was later being evaluated at a local hospital for injuries suffered during the incident. No additional injuries were reported in connection with the shooting, the chase or the crash.
Investigators said Valle-Gonzalez eventually got out of the truck and ran in the area of McCarran Boulevard and Victorian Avenue. The unoccupied vehicle kept rolling after he fled and then struck two cars that had people inside. Those occupants were not hurt, according to police.
Arrest on Victorian Avenue ends pursuit and leads to hospital treatment
Valle-Gonzalez was arrested on Victorian Avenue after running from the vehicle. Police said he was then taken to a hospital for injuries they described as non-life-threatening. After that, he was booked into the Washoe County Detention Facility on multiple charges.
Authorities have not said publicly in the release which specific charges were filed beyond the earlier felony battery-related allegation that prompted the stop. The critical incident video shows the end of the pursuit, but investigators have emphasized that the case remains under review by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Road closures and a multi-agency response slowed traffic around the crash scene
The shooting and crash triggered a large law enforcement response around 10 a.m. Emergency vehicles lined Victorian Avenue while police activity centered around three vehicles on McCarran Boulevard. The scene drew Sparks police, Reno police, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and REMSA.
Southbound McCarran Boulevard at Nichols Boulevard and westbound Victorian Avenue at McCarran Boulevard were closed after the incident. Police said the shutdowns could last for several hours while investigators worked the scene and gathered evidence. Drivers were urged to use alternate routes during the closure.
Washoe County sheriff leads active investigation under officer-involved shooting protocol
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with Reno police serving as the secondary agency under the Regional Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol. Officials said the case remains active and ongoing, but they also said there are no outstanding suspects or known threats to the public.
When the investigation is complete, it will be sent to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office for review. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact the sheriff’s detective division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 and reference case number WC26-5137.
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