More details released in fatal Carson City shooting
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 12/29/2022 - 10:33am
A Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report reveals more details into the fatal shooting and arrest for suspected open murder that happened Wednesday night in the area of East William and Stewart streets.
Samuel William Cocking, 19, is being held without bail for alleged open murder and firearm possession offenses. The adult male victim was allegedly shot by the suspect and died after being flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno.
According to the booking report, deputies were called to the 400 block of East William regarding a shooting and found a man with a gunshot wound to the chest. CCSO deputies detained the suspect. Three juveniles were at the scene, including the victim's son. Deputies began interviewing the juveniles who relayed the following information: The suspect began verbally arguing with the juveniles, who argued back and challenged Cocking to a fight. One of the juveniles said the suspect told them "you don't want what I have." The juvenile said he took it to mean the suspect had a gun, the report states.
The juveniles stated the victim confronted the suspect for the way he was talking to his son and Cocking pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the chest, the report states.
One of the juveniles said Cocking told them he was calling for paramedics and walked to the corner, according to the report.
This information was corroborated by an independent witness who said he saw a verbal altercation between the suspect and the juveniles. The witness saw the victim confront Cocking for what he was saying to the juveniles. The witness saw the suspect shoot the victim, the report states.
A copy of 911 call to dispatch provided the following information: A phone call from a male caller stated there was a shooting at the Playa Azul. The subject did not provide any more information and told dispatch he wanted to talk to a lawyer. He said he still had a gun on him and he was standing at the corner with his hands up.
A deputy located the suspect with his hands up. He was wearing black jeans, a black sweater and a blue beanie. The deputy recovered a 9mm gun which had "Hornady" hollow point rounds. The crime lab processed the scene and located an expended 9mm "Hornady" shell casing. Also located was an expended hollow point bullet consistent with the type in the magazine recovered from Cocking, the report states.
Cocking was read his Miranda rights and said he did not want to speak. The deputy retrieved the handgun from the suspect's waistband and noticed the handgun was a "ghost gun" firearm with no serial number, according to the report.
The deputy requested dispatch to do a criminal check on the suspect for wants and warrants. Dispatch advised the man returned clear with no criminal history.
Based on interviews conducted and evidence at the scene, Cocking was arrested for open murder and was taken to jail.
While securing the crime scene deputies came across a blue Reebok backpack in the parking lot. No one claimed ownership of it. Deputies learned the backpack belonged to one of the juveniles who was present during the incident, according to the report.
Due to the possibility the backpack contained evidence of the crime, a deputy applied for and was granted a search warrant for the backpack. Inside the backpack was a black BB gun with a magazine containing BB pellets and other miscellaneous items. The backpack and its contents were booked into evidence, the report states.
