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DA: Reno Police Justified In 2017 Fatal Casino Shooting

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The district attorney has cleared Reno police of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a suspect at a downtown casino after he skipped out on bail in Utah and committed a car-jacking in California.

Washoe County DA Chris Hicks said the officer was justified when he shot and killed 24-year-old Steven Valenzuela of Las Vegas in the Eldorado Resort Casino mezzanine in February 2017.

Hicks said Valenzuela put a gun to his head when initially confronted by police, took off then later advanced toward them with a gun in his hand.

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Investigators say he skipped out on bail on robbery and assault charges in Utah in February 2017, traveled to Las Vegas and later drove to Reno in a vehicle he car-jacked in California.