Miguel Antonio Vargas (left) and Juan Antonio Mena.
CCSO
Two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old are the latest arrests in a Jan. 24 shooting in Carson City that the sheriff’s office now says was gang related.
CCSO initially reported that three juveniles were in custody while a Reno juvenile remains in critical condition, and investigators believed drugs were the motive at the 3300 block of Carmine Street in east Carson City.
Detectives said about 17 handgun shots were fired and several vehicles were damaged by a fleeing vehicle.
In a news release Tuesday morning, CCSO said detectives, with the assistance of the Special Enforcement Team, Gang Unit, school resource officers and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Juan Antonio Mena, age 18, and Miguel Antonio Vargas, age 18. following the execution of a search warrant at an apartment in Mound House.
A 17-year-old man was also arrested on warrants for his involvement in the shooting. He was arrested by members of the Special Enforcement Team in Carson City on the evening of January 28th. When released on Tuesday, the 17-year-old was not identified, nor did it say when Mena and Vargas were arrested.
The investigation is ongoing and detectives have determined the incident was gang related, the press release said. Further arrests are expected as this investigation continues. All suspects in the shooting were identified within 12 hours of the incident.
Fees for Juan Antonio Mena:
Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Accessory)
Attack with a deadly weapon (accessory)
Possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number
destroy evidence
Improvement of the criminal gang
Deposit: $30,000
Fees for Miguel Antonio Vargas:
Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Accessory)
Attack with a deadly weapon (accessory)
Possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number
destroy evidence
Improvement of the criminal gang
Deposit: $30,000
In the press release, Sheriff Ken Furlong said gang activity remains a top priority for No Tolerance Enforcement Action. Incidents like this have become very rare in recent years. However, the Carmine shooting is a reminder that we all need to be constantly vigilant about our youth activities and report incidents or suspicions as soon as we learn about them. Early intervention in youth development in cooperation with youth welfare services is an effective approach to avoiding tragedy.