FBI investigates shooting at judge’s home

The FBI has joined in the probe to find the shooter who fired two rounds through the front door of Carson City Justice of the Peace John Tatro’s house early Tuesday morning.“The FBI was called in and are assisting,” Sheriff Ken Furlong said, adding, “Many of the details are being withheld because they are significant to the investigation.”The sheriff said investigators have focused on court cases handled by Tatro, and also are going beyond court proceedings in efforts to determine a motive for the shooting.“I’m very pleased with the efforts to narrow the focus but we are looking outward to people with motivations,” he said, adding that most of the people contacted by investigators have been extremely cooperative.Because the two shots were fired at the front door of Tatro’s residence, the sheriff said he presumed there was no intent to hurt the residents but, rather, to send a message.Judge Tatro said in a voicemail that he had been advised by counsel not to comment on the case but that he and his family are doing well.“I’m OK, my family’s fine, we’re moving on,” he said. “Life goes on, and we’re getting through this.”The bullets left two clean holes in Tatro’s heavy wood front door, traveled through the living room, through a sliding glass door and out to the yard where one bullet lodged itself in a fence. The glass door shattered in places from the punctures, Undersheriff Steve Albertsen said. The Washoe Crime Lab is analyzing the one recovered bullet to determine what weapon it came from and its caliber.Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 775-887-2008 or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.At 4:23 a.m. Tuesday, Tatro called 911 to report that someone had shot into his house. Neighbors also heard the shots. Neither Tatro nor his wife was injured in the shooting.Security at the Carson City Courthouse has been increased, as well as for the judges’ homes. The extra security will continue until further notice, Chief of Alternative Sentencing Rory Planeta said. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 775-887-2008 or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.