Reno Man Found Guilty of Robbery and ADW Charges

District Attorney's Office Announces Reno Man Convicted of Robbery and Multiple Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charges

December 17, 2015
Reno, Nevada

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office announced today that a Reno man has been found guilty of robbery with a deadly weapon and multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon after a three day trial in Washoe County District Court.  The charges stemmed from an August 2015 shooting incident at the Northtowne Home Depot.

Jared Anthony Johnson, 20 (DOB 11/11/95), from Reno, was found guilty yesterday of one count of Robbery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon and three counts of Assault with the Use of a Deadly Weapon. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred around 4 pm on August 4, 2015, when the defendant, short on rent money, decided to steal some tools from Home Depot on Northtowne Lane. As he exited with approximately $300 in stolen merchandise in his backpack he was confronted by two store security officers who observed the theft. He tried to escape but was apprehended. He resisted the security officers and a struggle ensued. During the struggle Johnson pulled out a loaded .22 caliber revolver from his backpack and fired three times. Testimony at trial showed on the first shot, the gun was pointed in the face of one of the security officers. Before firing the third shot, Johnson stated to the female security officer, “It’s pointed at your leg, don’t make me hurt you.” A customer passing came to the assistance of the store employees and together they were able to disarm Johnson and detain him for police. None of the rounds Johnson fired struck anyone.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that Johnson should be held accountable for each individual shot because they were not fired in quick succession and Johnson had interjected a threat before firing off the third shot. Sentencing is scheduled on February 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in Department Eight of the Second Judicial District Court before the Honorable Lidia Stiglich. Johnson faces up to 48 years in prison.