Current:Home > BackNevada district attorney clears officers in fatal shooting of man who went on rampage with chainsaw-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Nevada district attorney clears officers in fatal shooting of man who went on rampage with chainsaw
View Date:2025-01-12 10:18:57
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada district attorney cleared two police officers of any criminal wrongdoing on Wednesday after they fatally shot a man who went on a rampage with a chainsaw at a Motel 6 three years ago.
Ronal Zendejas, 36, of Sparks, cut through doors and swung the running blade at employees and a guest before he fled the motel parking lot in a Honda Accord, according to the 42-page investigative report. He drove toward the officers, hit a police cruiser and crashed into two buildings before he tried to flee again and officers shot him four times, according to the report.
Based on the evidence, District Attorney Chris Hicks said officers Thomas Radley and Adrian Berumen shooting Zendejas “was justified and not a criminal act.”
Reno police conducted the investigation into the officer-involved shooting in neighboring Sparks. At the time, Radley had served 15 years on the force and Berumen five.
Zendejas had rented a room at the motel on May 4, 2020. The motel’s general manager said Zendejas was rude, aggressive and appeared drunk, punching two windows in the front office before leaving and returning even angrier, according to the report. He left again but returned minutes later with a running chainsaw, cutting through a swinging door as the desk manager locked himself in a bathroom and the general manager fled to his motel apartment, the report said.
Zendejas then contacted a guest in a neighboring room, swung the chainsaw toward him and cut through the room’s door and door handle, according to the report.
Police arrived as Zendejas was preparing to drive off. They ordered him to show his hands, but he refused and sped away before striking a metal street sign, according to the report. He reversed his vehicle, struck the patrol vehicle and crashed into a nearby car wash before the officers caught up to him again. He then crashed into a nearby smog shop.
After Zendejas refused the officers’ orders again, they fired their weapons, according to the report. His vehicle crashed a third time, and the officers found him slumped over in the driver’s seat. An autopsy determined the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.
“Unless new circumstances come to light that contradict the factual foundation upon which this decision was made, this case is officially closed,” Hicks said in a statement Wednesday.
veryGood! (73)
Related
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- Why Women Everywhere Love Rihanna's Fenty Beauty & Savage X Fenty
- Pete Davidson and Chase Sui Wonders Pack on the PDA During Kauai Getaway
- Pope Francis expands sex abuse law, reaffirms adults can be victims
- Beyoncé has released lots of new products. Here's a Beyhive gift guide for the holidays
- Over 2,000 ram skulls discovered in Egypt's temple of Ramses II, a new mystery for archaeologists
- CNN's Kasie Hunt Gives Birth in Her Bathroom After 13-Minute Sudden Labor
- American tourist disappears while visiting ancient Mayan city
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Kourtney Kardashian Goes Blond for Her Biggest Hair Transformation Yet
Ranking
- American Idol’s Triston Harper, 16, Expecting a Baby With Wife Paris Reed
- Accused Russian spy allegedly collected U.S. info on Ukraine war before arrest
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $280 Crossbody Bag for Just $65
- Jeff Perry Reveals How Alaska Daily With Hilary Swank Honors Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
- Why Suits' Gabriel Macht Needed Time Away From Harvey Specter After Finale
- Revolve's One-Day Only Sitewide Anniversary Sale Has the Trendiest Spring Styles
- Jennifer Garner and Son Samuel Affleck Have a Slam Dunk Night Out at Lakers Game
- Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson in Car With Boyfriend Dralin Carswell as He’s Arrested For DUI
Recommendation
-
Asian sesame salad sold in Wegmans supermarkets recalled over egg allergy warning
-
Will Smith Returns to an Award Show Stage Nearly One Year After Oscars Slap
-
American tourist disappears while visiting ancient Mayan city
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Been Requested to Vacate Frogmore Cottage Home
-
Manhattan rooftop fire sends plumes of dark smoke into skyline
-
Watch Chloe Bailey Sweetly Crash Latto’s Red Carpet Interview
-
Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Break Up
-
Why Sam Claflin Was Happy With His “Boring” Costumes on Daisy Jones and the Six