Deputy shoots knife-wielding man

A Carson City Sheriff's deputy shot a man who allegedly attacked him with a knife early Saturday morning, authorities said.

Responding to a call from a family member reporting the man as suicidal, the officer was allegedly attacked in front of the man's house on Eighth Street at 7:41 a.m., immediately as the officer arrived on scene, according to police reports.

"The deputy didn't even get a chance to get away from his (car) door before the guy came after him," Sheriff Kenny Furlong said.

After the man ignored the deputy's demands to stop several times, the deputy fired three shots at the suspect, wounding the man in the leg and in the abdomen.

The man is reportedly conscious and in stable condition at Washoe Medical Center in Reno.

The names of the suspect as well as the deputy involved in the shooting are being withheld while an internal investigation and an outside NDI investigation are conducted, standard procedure for an incident involving the use of deadly force, according to the department.

The deputy involved is on administrative leave with pay.

Sheriff Furlong said even though it's early in the investigation, "It's apparent this man posed a great threat to the deputy, the neighborhood and himself, and didn't leave the officer with any other alternatives."

Once all investigations are complete, Furlong said the suspect will likely be charged with assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon.

n Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.