Vandalism suspect gets attorney

Convicted arsonist David Scott Killen is facing two gross misdemeanor charges in connection with a window-breaking spree in Carson City and Douglas County.

Killen, 22, a former Gardnerville Ranchos resident, was charged with discharging a firearm where a person may be endangered and willful injury to property.

On Wednesday, East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl appointed Derrick Lopez to represent Killen after the suspect said he could not afford a lawyer.

Killen told EnEarl he had been working at PetSmart and his wife worked for a veterinarian.

Killen is in custody in Douglas County Jail on $10,000 cash bail and is set for another court appearance Feb. 21.

The criminal complaint alleges that Killen discharged a weapon or aided and abetted Dylan Patrick Gregory, 21, in discharging a weapon by driving a vehicle.

Gregory has not been charged in connection with the incident, but Douglas County sheriff's Capt. Mike Biaggini said the investigation was ongoing.

Killen also faces charges in Carson City where more than two dozen windows were reported shot with pellets.

According to the complaint, Killen and Gregory used a CO2-powered BB gun.

The vandalism spree stretched from Stateline at Lake Tahoe, through Carson Valley and Minden and Gardnerville.

At 3:30 p.m. Monday, the driver of a vehicle called 911 near the intersection of Riverview Drive and Dresslerville Road in the Ranchos.

The woman, whose 14-year-old daughter was a passenger in the minivan, reported that the driver's side window had been shattered.

She was able to identify the suspect and made out a citizen's arrest complaint.

Damage reports also were filed from the East Fork Fire District and Re/Max Realty whose windows were shattered six minutes apart.

Damage to the fire station window was estimated at $400 and $1,000 at Re/Max.

About 29 businesses and vehicles reported windows shot out on Carson Street, Long Street, William Street, Corbett Street, East Robinson Street, East Nye Lane and West Musser Street between 1 and 3 p.m. Monday.

Damage is expected to be in excess of $20,000.

Carson City Sheriff's Detective Keith Bopko said he expects to submit the case against Killen to the district attorney Thursday.

Killen has a long history of criminal acts in Douglas County including a November 2002 arson spree in which he set a dozen fires in four counties. Killen admitted one count of arson on Jan. 14, 2003, and was sentenced to up to four years in prison. That sentence was suspended and Killen was ordered to spend a year in jail.

Killen was released from jail on house arrest and five days later, on Dec. 9, 2003, he was caught violating his probation by leaving home and drinking heavily. Gamble imposed the prison sentence. Killen was released from prison in August 2006.

Killen and his brother set their neighbor's lawn on fire before Killen turned 18.