Reno, Nevada

From the Reno Gazette-Journal of April 26, 2005

Newspaper carrier shoots teenager who tried to steal his vehicle, authorities say

A 17-year-old shot by a newspaper carrier after allegedly trying to steal his delivery vehicle also is suspected of being involved in two separate shootings 48 hours apart.

The teenage boy, whose name was not released because he is a minor, is being treated at Washoe Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his stomach and two to his arm, Reno police said.

What started the boy’s wild weekend ride was a fight about 11:45 p.m. Friday at the Frog Pond Bar, 1601 Lewis St.

Lt. Ron Donnelly said the friend of the boy fought in the bar about a woman. The fight spilled into the parking lot, he said, and the boy allegedly fired shots into the air and at the man’s vehicle, damaging its windows. The boy and his friend fled.

Gang-related fight

About 2:15 a.m. Sunday two groups of people had a gang-related fight at a downtown Reno bar, Donnelly said. The boy is suspected to have been involved.

Shortly after at a downtown parking garage, the groups shot at each other and drove away in two vehicles: a silver sports utility vehicle and red pickup.

Donnelly said the groups continued to shoot at each other as they drove throughout the city. The pickup struck the SUV, causing the engine to ignite and disabling it. The occupants of both vehicles fled.

About 4 a.m., the 17-year-old’s parents called police and said he dropped off the red pickup in their driveway and it was laden with bullet holes, Donnelly said.

Thirty minutes later, Jonathan Hafalla, 34, an independent contractor, was filling newspaper boxes in the 1300 block of Carville Drive with copies of the Reno Gazette-Journal. He had left the engine running while he filled the boxes.

Tried to drive away

Donnelly said the 17-year-old got inside Hafalla’s vehicle and tried to drive away. Hafalla, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, fired at the vehicle and commanded the boy to stop. At one point, the boy put the vehicle in reverse, nearly striking the man, Donnelly said.

The boy was shot three times. He stumbled out of the vehicle and Hafalla held him at gunpoint while police were en route, Donnelly said. Hafalla has not been charged with a crime.

Donnelly said when the teen is released from the hospital he will be arrested on felony charges related to the attempted theft of Hafalla’s vehicle and possible charges from the other shootings.