4:10 p.m. Thursday update: Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam released few details into his department's investigation into the deaths of an elderly couple in south Reno, saying it's too early to make many details public. He sought to assure the public that law enforcement agencies across Northern Nevada are stepping up patrols to keep people safe and dedicating resources to solving both the Reno and Gardnerville homicides. Several members of various law enforcement agencies attended the news conference on Thursday, including Reno Police Chief Jason Soto, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong and Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley, among others. That also included Washoe County Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler and Commissioner Bob Lucey. "We have all come together to make sure the public knows we are working together as a region to keep our community safe and to bring those responsible for the crimes to justice," Balaam said. Balaam did not release the names of the two people killed in Reno, saying his agency is awaiting confirmation by the Washoe County Medical Examiner of their identities. Balaam stopped short of listing any similarities between the Reno and Gardnerville murders other than the victims are all older adults. In Gardnerville, investigators did not find any signs of forced entry, according to Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley. Coverley said the victims in Gardnerville were shot to death. Balaam said it is too early in the Reno investigation to say how the couple was killed. Balaam said some "items were taken" from the Reno home but did not list what was missing. Balaam called on the public to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and to check in on their neighbors and family members. He also urged anyone with any information about the crimes, "no matter how insignificant," to call the tip line: 775-321-4911. "If you've seen anything, please let us know," he said. "We are trying to develop a profile as we speak." 4 p.m. Thursday update: Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said it was an elderly couple who were killed in their south Reno home. Authorities found their bodies on Wednesday. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 2:30 p.m. Thursday update: The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is planning on holding a news conference at 4 p.m. Thursday. Check RGJ Facebook for a live video of the news conference and at RGJ.com for more updates as they become available. 9:57 a.m. Thursday update: The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is working with other area law enforcement to determine if there is a connection between the two deaths reported in south Reno and the recent murders in Gardnerville. According to Washoe County Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Harmon, investigators are working with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and other agencies. "We can't confirm for sure, but we haven't ruled it out yet," Harmon said when asked if the cases were connected. Related:Motive unknown in 2 Gardnerville Ranchos murders thought to be connected From 2016:Unsolved: 10 years gone, Musalo murder remains a mystery Last week, two women were murdered within a span of four days in Gardnerville. Connie Koontz, 56, was killed inside her home on James Road in Gardnerville Ranchos on Jan. 9 or 10. The second victim, Sophia Renken, 74, was also killed in her Dresslerville Road home about four days later on Jan. 13. The murders occurred just one or two miles apart, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has not identified a suspect. Then at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Washoe County deputies found two deceased adults at a home on La Guardia Lane off Zolezzi Lane in South Suburban Reno. Harmon said he could not release further information on the two victims Thursday morning. "As we know more, we'll get that released as quickly as possible," he said. 8:35 p.m. Wednesday update: The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the suspicious deaths of two people in a residence in the Zolezzi Lane area. According to a new release, at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of suspicious circumstances at a residence on La Guardia Lane east of Valley Springs Road. Deputies found two deceased adults in the residence. Sheriff’s detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900. Refer to case number WC19-306. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam reminds residents to always stay aware of their surroundings and be alert for suspicious activity. Sheriff Balaam urges residents to: keep doors and windows secure use outdoor lighting if available don’t open doors for strangers keep cellphones handy and charged report suspicious activity to law enforcement The identity of the victims will be confirmed by the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.<doc-sep>RENO, Nevada — Authorities investigating four recent Nevada killings say murder charges are pending against a man suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Wilbur Martinez-Guzman, 19, was arrested Saturday in Carson City and is being held on possession of stolen property, burglary and immigration charges. Authorities say they expect to file murder charges against him in the coming days in the shooting deaths of an elderly couple in Reno and two women in the community of Gardnerville Ranchos. Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said at a Sunday news conference that federal immigration authorities told his office Martinez-Guzman had lived in Carson City about a year and was in the country illegally. Furlong said Monday he didn’t know where Martinez-Guzman is originally from, and a message left with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was not immediately returned. Authorities say Connie Koontz, 56, was found dead Jan. 10 in her home in Gardnerville Ranchos, about 15 miles south (24 kilometers) of Carson City. Three days later, 74-year-old Sophia Renken was found dead in her home about a mile from where Koontz lived. On Wednesday, the bodies of 81-year-old Jerry David, and his 80-year-old wife, Sherri, were found in their home on the southern edge of Reno, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Carson City. Furlong said the investigation is ongoing and it’s too soon to comment on a possible motive. He said Martinez-Guzman didn’t yet have an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters Copyright © 2021 The Washington Times, LLC.<doc-sep>A migrant who is in the U.S. illegally is expected to be charged in connection with four murders carried out in northern Nevada. Law enforcement officials reported the homicides occurred in Douglas County and South Reno earlier this month. Police arrested 19-year-old Wilbur Ernesti Martinez-Guzman on Saturday afternoon in Carson City, Nevada, on charges relating to burglary, possession of stolen property, and immigration violations, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported. Officials said they expect to file murder charges soon. Martinez-Guzman is suspected in killing Connie Koontz, 56, and Sophia Renken, 74, who were found dead in their homes on January 10 and 13. The two homes are located in Douglas County, about a mile apart, the local newspaper reported. On January 16, Jerry David, 81, and his wife Sherri, 80, were found dead in their South Reno homes. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bob Harmon told Breitbart News that there are similarities in all four homicides they believe link Martinez-Guzman to the murders. Those include the age of the victims, removal of items from the homes, and the fact that a firearm was used in all for killings. He said other clues linking the four murders are expected to be found as the investigation unfolds. Harmon said the illegal immigrant has no other known criminal history. He said Martinez-Guzman is cooperating with the investigation. During a press conference over the weekend, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said, “We felt it was important for the public to know that we are confident we have the person responsible for the La Guardia Lane homicides as well as the homicides in Douglas County.” Harmon told Breitbart News they are confident that Martinez-Guzman is the only person involved in the case but cautioned that the investigation is still in the early stages. Immigration officials told Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong that the illegal immigrant had been in the local area for about a year, the Gazette-Journal reported. The migrant’s nationality has not yet been reported. Martinez-Guzman is being held on charges related to burglary, possession of stolen property, and obtaining money on false pretenses, KOLO ABC8 reported. He is also being held on an immigration detainer. The suspect continues to be held in the Carson City County jail. Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for the Breitbart Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Face book.<doc-sep>
A man was taken into custody this weekend in connection with four "brutal" murders that shook communities in the Reno, Nevada, area, officials said. Wilbur Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, 19, was apprehended Saturday, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said at a joint news conference Sunday. "We feel confident we have evidence that will link him to all four homicides," Balaam said. "The information we have now indicates there are no outstanding suspects." Martinez-Guzman "was likely in the United States illegally and was detainable," immigration officers verified Saturday afternoon, said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong. Martinez-Guzman, who has been living in Carson City for about a year, is being held in the Carson City Detention Facility on immigration charges and charges related to possession of stolen property, Balaam said. Investigators will be seeking an arrest warrant for the murders in the coming days, Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said at the news conference. No motive has been released, and authorities added that Martinez-Guzman was not known to the Carson City Sheriff's Office. All four victims were found shot dead in their homes, reported ABC Reno affiliate KOLO. The first of the four victims, 56-year-old Connie Koontz, was killed Jan. 9 or 10, KOLO reported. Sophia Renken, 74, was found dead Jan. 13, according to KOLO, and then Gerald David, 81, and his wife Sharon David, 80, were found shot dead in their home on Jan. 16. "Our communities were shaken by these brutal murders," Hicks said. From Jan. 10 to Saturday, Jan. 19, investigators were following up on tips and leads in the four killings, and by Friday, those leads allowed agencies to focus on several specific locations in Carson City, Furlong said. Friday afternoon surveillance teams were sent to find Martinez-Guzman and anyone associated with him, and by 7 a.m. Saturday, according to Furlong, investigators found him at a home in east Carson City. Authorities said family members of all four victims were at Sunday's news conference. A relative of Gerald and Sharon David told reporters, "We'd like to express our sincere sympathies to the families of the other victims. They are in our prayers. We will continue to keep our eyes on God, trusting in him, as we walk through the aftermath of this tragedy."