Identities released in Carson City officer involved shooting

A 34-year-old transient with a long criminal history remains hospitalized after he was shot by a Carson City Sheriff’s Deputy Friday night.

Sheriff Ken Furlong said Monday Deputy Chris Rivera, a 15 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was released from Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center after being treated for a severe head wound Friday night.

The wound occurred when Rivera checked out of his patrol vehicle at the southwest corner of the Carson City Nugget at 6:09 p.m. 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 deputies arrived to find Rivera with a head wound and Michael Cruz, 34, with multiple gun shot wounds.

A preliminary investigation shows when Rivera made verbal contact with the suspect, a physical altercation immediately ensued, and Rivera was slashed with a knife. As a result of the attack, Rivera drew his weapon and fired on the suspect five times. All other details are pending investigative analysis.

Rivera, who 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.

Cruz is expected to be booked in Carson City Jail 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 out of Douglas County.

Bail is expected to be set at $200,000, Furlong said.

Furlong said Cruz was arrested in Douglas County on suspicion of trespassing on Feb. 22. He was previously arrested on 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. Cruz is still at Renown Regional Medical Center.