District Attorney Ruled 2024 Police Shooting Lawful
The investigation into the November 2024 fatal shooting at a West Fourth Street gas station concluded this week.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks determined that the fatal police shooting of Kristopher Gari on Nov. 18, 2024, was lawful. The ruling followed the completion of a review into the encounter at a Reno Maverik gas station.
Why it matters
The decision closes a long-standing case regarding the use of force by local law enforcement during a vehicle stop. The office found that the officer involved acted out of a reasonable fear of serious bodily harm during the struggle.
The district attorney released a 29-page report concluding the officer's actions were justified after firing four shots. The case, which examined an encounter that turned fatal at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2024, is now formally closed.
The players
Chris Hicks
The Washoe County District Attorney who issued the legal ruling on the shooting.
Patrick McCauley
The sergeant who fired the shots during the November 2024 vehicle encounter.
Kristopher Gari
The deceased individual who was the subject of an active warrant at the time of the incident.
Sparks Police Department
The agency that conducted the investigation into the fatal shooting.
The details
The investigation determined that Sgt. Patrick McCauley, who had attempted to disable the suspect's vehicle, faced an immediate threat when Kristopher Gari drove away with the officer inside the passenger seat. The report states the officer fired his weapon after believing Gari attempted to seize his firearm. The Sparks Police Department, which conducted the investigation into the Reno incident, submitted their findings in December 2025.
Timeline
Nov. 16, 2024: Officers first attempted to detain Gari.
Nov. 18, 2024: Sgt. McCauley fatally shot Gari during an incident at 1010 W. Fourth St.
Dec. 23, 2025: Sparks Police submitted the investigation report.
Oct. 2, 2026: The District Attorney released the final report.
The Truckee Meadows View
This case follows the standard review protocol used by the Washoe County District Attorney’s office for officer-involved shootings. It concludes a long-term investigation consistent with the region's established legal oversight processes for such incidents.
The closure of this case marks the end of an investigation that began in late 2024 regarding an incident on West Fourth Street. No further public actions or hearings are pending for residents following this final report release.
The takeaway
The District Attorney's office has officially closed the investigation into the 2024 shooting. Residents can access the summary of findings through the official county records as the final step in this review process.
Further reading
For more on local public safety oversight, visit Law Enforcement.
