Accidental Shooting: Reno Police & Christopher Sheahan - Details & Update

Could a routine traffic stop in Reno, Nevada, have spiraled into a situation where a man, Christopher Sheahan, a former Navy veteran, was shot by a police officer? The circumstances surrounding the July 2020 shooting, deemed accidental by the Washoe County District Attorney, paint a complex picture of a man in crisis, a tense encounter with law enforcement, and a tragic outcome.

On the evening of July 26, 2020, Reno Police Department officers were dispatched to South Virginia Street following a traffic stop. Upon arrival, officers encountered Sheahan, who, according to reports, was not compliant with their instructions. Body camera footage later revealed officers repeatedly instructing Sheahan to get on the ground. The situation quickly escalated. During the encounter, another officer deployed a taser, inadvertently striking a fellow officer's knee. This impact caused the officer to involuntarily discharge their firearm, resulting in Sheahan being shot in the shoulder.