Subject:  Update - Carson City Officer Involved Shooting 

Recap:  On August 18, 2017, at 6:09 p.m., a Carson City Sheriff’s Deputy checked out of his patrol vehicle at the southwest corner of the Carson City Nugget (in downtown Carson), informing the dispatcher of a suspicious person.  At 6:12 p.m., the 911 Dispatch Center received multiple calls of shots being fired in the approximate area.  Other Carson Sheriff’s patrols converged on the scene and discovered the Deputy Sheriff with severe head wound(s), and a suspect with multiple gunshot wounds.  The Deputy was immediately transported to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center by fellow officers, while other officers and Carson Fire/Paramedics treated and transported the suspect to Care Flight for removal to a hospital.  No other injuries were reported.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Deputy injured is being identified as Deputy Chris Rivera, a 15 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office.  Deputy Rivera has spent the majority of this tenure in the Patrol Division, is a Field Training Officer for newly assigned officers, and has extensive experience in SWAT tactics.  Two years ago on August 15, 2015, Deputy Rivera responded to the Deputy Carl Howell (deceased) shooting and is credited with pulling Howell out of the shooting zone.   Deputy Rivera was released from the hospital Friday evening and taken home by his girlfriend and parents.   

The Sheriff’s Office is also releasing the identity of the suspect in this incident.  34 year old Michael Cruz, a transient, remains in a local area hospital pending booking in Carson City on the charges of Attempted Murder, two counts of Battery With a Deadly Weapon, two counts of Assault With a Deadly Weapon, and a Warrant arrest for Contempt of Court (Douglas County).  Bail is set at $200,000.  Since Cruz has not yet been booked at the jail, no photos are available.  Cruz has a history of varying levels of conflict, most recently being arrested in Douglas County, NV, for Trespassing on February 22, 2017, and Unlawful Use of Emergency Phone on May 6, 2016.  Other previous arrests in Nevada and California included Domestic Battery, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Making Annoying Phone Calls, Taking a Bear without a License, Disorderly Conduct, other Weapons Violations, and Vandalism.  He remains under tightly guarded security as he recovers from his wounds.

Press Release originator:  Sheriff Furlong