A 15-year-old boy, expected to be tried as an adult in a Goni Road shooting, was arraigned Thursday morning in Carson City Justice Court on a charge of attempted murder.
District Attorney Noel Waters said the teen has not been formally charged. The boy remains in the Carson City adult jail on $75,000 bail.
Under Nevada law, murder or attempted murder is not considered a delinquent act and does not fall under the jurisdiction of juvenile courts.
Until a formal charge is filed, the Nevada Appeal is not publishing the suspect's name because he is a minor.
According to the police report, shooting victim Jesus Garcia, 17, drove himself to Carson-Tahoe Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
He initially told Detective Dena Lacy he was by himself on Goni Road "to hang out," when he was shot. But when pressed, Garcia eventually admitted he had gone to the remote location near the sand pits to fight. He said he was familiar with the person who shot him, but only knew the name of the shooter's companion.
The two allegedly set up the meeting on Goni earlier that morning when they exchanged words in front of Carson High School where Garcia is a student. Sgt. Bob White said the two allegedly had an ongoing rivalry.
Once at the location and before any punches could be thrown, the 15-year-old allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired at least two shots at Garcia, striking him once, Lacy said.
The suspect was later located at Opportunity High School and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Investigators initially identified the school as Pioneer High School. Pioneer High School and Opportunity School are on the same campus at 225 E. Park St. Pioneer High School is an alternative educational setting for high school students.
Opportunity School is an extension of Carson High School and is a temporary placement facility for students who are disciplined at the high school. The reason for the shooter's attendance at Opportunity High was unclear.
The 16-year-old companion was arrested and booked into the juvenile facility on suspicion of accessory to attempted murder.
Lacy said Garcia is in fair condition. The bullet pierced a lung, but does not appear to be life threatening.
The 15-year-old will appear in court again on June 9.
The suspected weapon was recovered from a home on Tiger Drive.
n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
