Sparks police rightly shoot woman who was attacked with paintball gun

RENO, Nevada (KOLO) – Two Sparks Police Department officers justifiably shot a woman who led police on a chase and then attacked officers, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

Ginger Krivac was 47 years old at the time of the shooting on December 9, 2020.

Here is the summary from the public prosecutor:

At 11:31 p.m. that day, police received a call about a woman brandishing a knife in the parking lot of Dotty’s Casino in downtown Sparks and driving a blue Mazda. Police later learned the caller was Krivac. Prosecutors said she appeared to have attempted to take her own life at the hands of police officers.

About 20 minutes later, Officers Bryan Yee and Grant Phillips saw the blue Mazda speeding on Victorian Avenue and followed it as it turned north onto Pyramid Way. The Mazda driver refused to stop for police and continued north on Pyramid Way before stopping at the crosswalk on McCarran Boulevard.

Both officers stopped their vehicles. Krivac got out of her car and yelled, “Come on. Come on.” Yee got out of his patrol car and Krivac was holding what appeared to be a military-style firearm. Yee pulled out his gun and threatened her with his weapon. She charged at Yee and Phillips got out of his patrol car and threatened her with his weapon as well.

Krivac ignored Yee’s command to stop and, fearing for his safety, Yee fired seven times. Phillips fired twice.

Police provided Krivac with medical attention, treating multiple gunshot wounds, including to her chest, abdomen, right thigh, right arm and left hand. When medical personnel asked Krivac what happened, she said she “just couldn’t go on.”

The weapon was a black Spyder paintball rifle that was missing an air tank, hopper and paintballs.

Krivac was arrested for illegal use of an emergency number and aggravated obstruction and resisting arrest. She was sentenced in Washoe County Court in June 2022 and received a suspended sentence of 19 to 38 months.

Family members told investigators that she had a history of mental illness and methamphetamine abuse.

The police found a suicide note at the crime scene.

“Krivac was determined to commit suicide, as evidenced by her actions, her family’s accounts, and evidence recovered during the investigation,” the report said. “On the night of the shooting, Krivac behaved in a manner that led officers to perceive her as an immediate and deadly threat.”

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