WASHOE COUNTY, Nev. -- A Jacksonville man is dead and three people are in custody after a 22-year-old stole a Nevada Highway Patrol vehicle during a traffic stop Monday afternoon.
Dozens of sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers responded to the spot where NHP troopers originally pulled over a Ford Explorer with Florida plates. Capt. Darin Balaam of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office explained how the ordeal began.
"Two NHP troopers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by several suspects," said Balaam. "During the initial stop one of the subjects was able to flee from their vehicle and take one of the NHP vehicles."
Action News has learned the suspect was identified as 22-year-old Devin Peterson of Jacksonville. Family members tell Action News that Peterson worked at P.F. Chang's in the St. Johns Town Center. Peterson was also taking classes at FSCJ.
The other three people in the Ford were taken into custody. Officers followed the stolen NHP vehicle and shot its tires. But that didn't stop Peterson.
"The suspect acquired a second vehicle from a citizen and fled and continued eastbound on I-80," said Balaam. "And somewhere in the Fernley area, the suspect stopped and shots were fired and we since have one deceased person at the scene in Fernley."
Deputies say Peterson committed suicide. Because shots were fired by NHP troopers, the investigation has been turned over to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno and Sparks police and the Nevada Division of Investigation.
Balaam said detectives were investigating the scene Tuesday, and a formal interview with troopers will be conducted. "There are no outstanding suspects, because we're confident we have them all and that the troopers are OK and there are no injured citizens," Balaam said.
Deputies say after Peterson rolled the second stolen car near Fernley, he got out of the car and shot himself with the NHP trooper's shotgun, which was inside the stolen patrol car.
Two of the people in the Ford Explorer have been identified as Manuel Alejandro Rodriguez and Christian Magllano Alzurua, both of Jacksonville.
Authorities have not released the identity of the fourth passenger.
