Ian Hinkey, age 25, and a 17-year old male juvenile were arrested following an officer-involved shooting on the Ft. McDermitt Indian Reservation in northern Humboldt County on July 5 and are being held without bail on federal charges.
There were no injuries during the incident despite multiple shots fired between the suspects and law enforcement officers.
According to a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release, HCSO deputies responded to assist the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) with locating multiple battery suspects from an incident at the Red Mountain Travel Center located in McDermitt on Friday, July 5, 2019, at 9:45 p.m.
Upon being located by BIA and HCSO deputies in a field at the end of Abel Road on the reservation, three suspects began firing two rifles at officers and one HCSO deputy fired back at the suspects. The suspects subsequently fled on foot and two were later apprehended and booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center without bail on felony charges. The name of the officer who shot back at the suspects has not yet been released due to ongoing investigations.
Following the incident, the Tri-County Special Response Team was activated to respond due to the significant threat posed to law enforcement and for the safety of the public.
The special response team consists of members from the HCSO, Winnemucca Police Department, Lander County Sheriff’s Office and Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.
During the search for suspects and subsequent investigation, a section of US Highway 95 was closed for an extended period of time, facilitated by Nevada Highway Patrol troopers.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the incident and will be conducting both a criminal investigation and use of force investigation.
A separate use of force investigation will also be coordinated by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office as standard procedure when a deadly weapon is deployed by an officer during an incident.
“In these types of situations, law enforcement officers have a duty to protect the public and the right to protect themselves,” said HCSO officials in a press release.
The incident is still under investigation and additional suspects may be apprehended at a later time pending federal investigation. Both subjects who were apprehended are reported to be residents of the Ft. McDermitt Indian Reservation.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during this critical incident. It is our mission to ensure the safety of the public and officers involved during these types of events and to minimalize the impact on our community,“ said HCSO officials in a press release.
