Carson City man jailed on first degree murder charges in deadly drug deal shooting

A 21-year-old Carson City man was arrested late Tuesday on multiple charges including first degree murder and murder with robbery in the Monday shooting death of an 18-year-old man during a drug deal near a north Carson City park, Sheriff Ken Furlong said.

Reed Skenandore was taken into custody at 8:45 p.m. by Carson City detectives after attempting to flee from investigators who had tracked him down at Motel 6 in the 2700 block of South Carson Street. He is being held without bail.

Carson City detectives say Skenandore was the one who pulled the trigger that killed Grant Watkins during a drug transaction involving three ounces of marijuana. Two brothers Jesus Garcia-Manriquez, 18, and Allen Garcia-Manriquez, 19, were arrested Monday by Carson City SWAT at an apartment complex at Fifth and Harbin streets. They were each charged as being principal accessories in the murder.

Skenandore, who was listed as living in an apartment in the 2200 block of East Long Street, was booked on charges of first degree murder with a deadly weapon, first degree murder with a weapon in perpetrating a robbery, robbery with use of a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office received reports Monday, 12:39 a.m. of multiple shots fired in the area of Windridge Drive and Spooner Drive near Blackwell's Pond Park in the Northridge subdivision area.

As units arrived at the scene of the shooting and began looking for evidence, authorities at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center Emergency Room reported Watkins had arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach. He was in critical condition and taken to Renown Medical Center by Care Flight where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m.

The victim was taken by a driver to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center following the shooting, where he was flown by Care Flight and later died. Information gathered later that day led detectives to Skenandore.

Here is a news release sent out this afternoon by Sheriff Furlong:
On Tuesday, Carson City Sheriff's Office detectives investigating the death of Grant Watkins determined that the motive behind the shooting/homicide was likely an attempt to rob Watkins of the marijuana that Watkins was attempting to sell. Detectives working the case throughout Tuesday identified the likely motive, along with several additional suspect(s), including Reed Skenandore.

Skenandore was identified as having been at the scene of the shooting and having fired a handgun at the victim. The information was presented late Tuesday to a Carson City Judge and an Arrest Warrant for “Murder” was issued. By the evening hours of Tuesday night, an intense operation throughout Carson City was in progress to locate and take Skenandore (presumed to be armed and dangerous) into custody.

At Approximately 8:45 p.m. last night, information led a team of detectives, Special Enforcement Officers, and U.S. Marshalls to a motel on south Carson Street at Sonoma Drive where Skenandore was believed to be located. During the surveillance of the area, Skenandore was eventually spotted and positively identified as he was leaving a motel room. Skenandore walked into the parking lot area and an arrest team converged on him. Skenandore was taken into custody without incident or injuries to anyone. He is being held without bail.

Following his arrest, search warrants were executed at a family residence on East Long Street, as well as other surveillances put in place at critical locations. Search teams remain active in serval areas for other persons associated with this incident.

As a result of investigative activities, detectives believe they have uncovered the true motive and activities that transpired the night of the homicide. While we believe that all of the primary suspects that posed the greatest significant threat risk to the community have been taken into custody, other arrests remain highly likely.

The Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate this matter. Anyone with any information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Carson City Sheriff’s Office at 887-2500.