Vehicle sought in shooting death of Carson man

Reno police still are searching for the person who shot and killed a Carson City man and injured several others outside a Reno nightclub Sunday morning.

According to Reno Police Lt. Mo Rafaqat, Macario Ortiz Jr., 28, of Carson City, was in an SUV just after 3 a.m. Sunday when a gunman opened fire on the vehicle as it exited a Second Street multi-story parking garage in Reno.

The driver lost control of the SUV and crashed into a concrete pillar, according to Rafaqat, and when the vehicle stopped the gunman approached and pistol whipped the driver before fleeing.

Ortiz died of gunshot wounds at a Reno hospital and three others were injured.

His funeral was in Carson City on Thursday.

Rafaqat said the victims and the suspects were likely from rival Carson City street gangs and there is some connection to Kings Beach.

He said the two groups had been in an altercation earlier in the Freight House bar before being kicked out by security. Both groups were retrieving their vehicles in the parking garage when the shooting happened.

Rafaqat said investigators want to speak with the driver of a white or light-colored sedan with a dark hood and a black or dark stripe running down the mid-line of the sides of the car.

The vehicle was captured by surveillance cameras in the area at the time of the shooting.

Rafaqat said investigators also want to speak with a person who left information on the Secret Witness hotline Tuesday.

Secret Witness received a report from a person who claimed to have knowledge about the location of evidence. However, the subject did not leave any information about how to contact them, said Rafaqat. That person is asked to contact Secret Witness or investigators with their contact information. A reward of $100 is being offered for the evidence or information that leads to its immediate recovery. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Reno Police Department's Robbery/Homicide Unit at 334-2188 during regular business hours or Secret Witness at 322-4900, anytime. 

A $2,500 reward is offered by Secret Witness for the arrest and conviction of the shooter.