Christopher Sheahan was shot in the shoulder by Reno Police Officer Richard Jager on July 26, 2020, after a Washoe County sheriff’s deputy fired a Taser at Sheahan, missed, and struck Jager in the knee, causing him to involuntarily pull the trigger of his handgun. Sheahan survived, was later convicted of resisting a public officer, and filed a civil lawsuit in 2022 against the officers and their agencies. In May 2024, the Washoe County District Attorney ruled the discharge accidental and declined to bring criminal charges against Jager. The Reno shooting of Christopher Sheahan remains one of the more unusual officer-involved shooting cases in northern Nevada because the round that hit him was fired by a police officer who had himself just been shot with a Taser.
How the Confrontation Started
The morning began with a traffic dispute at South Virginia Street and Sierra Center Parkway in Reno. According to the Washoe County District Attorney’s investigative report, Sheahan became visibly upset when driver Shannon Segerer refused to move forward at his signal. He accelerated toward her car, nearly striking it, and she swerved out of the way before pulling over to call 911.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS
Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputy George Cholico, a 15-year veteran driving nearby, saw Segerer pointing at Sheahan’s stopped vehicle and followed him into the parking lot of the Kay Martin Lodge apartment complex at 6950 South Virginia Street. Sheahan got out of his car and refused repeated commands to get back inside. Officers and witnesses described him as very large and muscular. He paced, took layers of clothing on and off, and told Cholico he had “some mental issues” and needed to leave to see his mother.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS
Cholico called for expedited backup. Officers from the Reno Police Department and additional Washoe County deputies arrived and partially surrounded Sheahan. Among them was Officer Richard Jager, who was in his second week on duty after graduating from the law enforcement academy. Jager was positioned as lethal cover with his sidearm drawn while Cholico prepared his Taser.2Police1. Nev. Officer Who Accidentally Shot Suspect Pulled Trigger When Hit by Another Officer’s Taser
How the Accidental Shot Happened
When Cholico deployed his Taser, one of the probes missed Sheahan and embedded in Jager’s left knee. Jager flinched and inadvertently pulled the trigger of his Sig Sauer P320 9mm handgun, firing a single round that struck Sheahan in the upper right shoulder.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS Body-camera footage recorded Jager’s immediate reaction: “I think it was me. I got shot with the Taser and I thought… [expletive].”3Sacramento Bee. Reno Police Officer’s Gun Fired After Officer Accidentally Hit by Taser
Jager fashioned a tourniquet for Sheahan and provided first aid until paramedics arrived. Sheahan was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center with a comminuted fracture of his shoulder. He initially refused surgery, then consented; the bullet was removed and he was discharged the next day. Jager was also treated for removal of the Taser probe from his knee.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS
From his hospital bed, Sheahan told investigators he had failed to follow commands and had been trying to show officers he was unarmed by emptying his pockets. “I should have just listened to the officer’s orders and not gotten out of my car and freaked out like I did,” he said. He also thanked the officers for the first aid.2Police1. Nev. Officer Who Accidentally Shot Suspect Pulled Trigger When Hit by Another Officer’s Taser
Sheahan’s Background
Sheahan was 45 at the time and living in Sparks, Nevada. He is a father of three. On the morning of the shooting, he told officers he had picked up McDonald’s breakfast for his children, who lived with their mother. He mentioned that he had played football at Reed High School and graduated in 1995.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS
According to his attorney, Nicholas Wooldridge, Sheahan previously served in the Navy and has been diagnosed with PTSD. Wooldridge said Sheahan had been released from a veterans’ hospital, where he had been admitted for mental health treatment, just days before the incident.4Reno Gazette Journal. Reno Nevada Police Sued for Excessive Force in 2020 Shooting of Christopher Sheahan
Criminal Charges Against Sheahan
In September 2020, prosecutors charged Sheahan in Reno Justice Court with two misdemeanors: obstructing and resisting an officer, and reckless driving.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS
In August 2021, the defense filed a notice of intent to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. After a bench trial on December 7, 2021, the court on January 26, 2022 found Sheahan guilty of obstructing and resisting an officer and not guilty of reckless driving. He was sentenced on May 18, 2022 to one day in the Washoe County Detention Facility.1Washoe County. Report on July 26, 2020 OIS
The District Attorney’s Ruling on the Officer
The Sparks Police Department led the investigation into the shooting under the regional officer-involved shooting protocol. The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office delayed its review until Sheahan’s criminal case concluded, which the office described as standard practice to preserve the integrity of the prosecution.5WashoeLife. OIS Report Released
On May 28, 2024, District Attorney Chris Hicks released a 20-page report concluding that Jager’s shooting of Sheahan was “accidental and therefore lacking the willful mental state required for criminal liability.” Sparks Police had not requested charges against Jager, and Hicks confirmed no criminal prosecution would proceed. Under Nevada law, Hicks said, the accidental discharge did not support prosecution because it lacked “willful intent” and “evil design or intention.”5WashoeLife. OIS Report Released
The gap between the shooting and the public report was nearly four years. The DA’s office attributed the delay to waiting for Sheahan’s criminal proceedings to conclude.6Fox Reno. Reno Officer-Involved Shooting of Christopher Sheahan Ruled Accidental, DA Report Reveals
The Civil Lawsuit
On July 18, 2022, attorney Nicholas Wooldridge filed a civil complaint on Sheahan’s behalf against the Reno Police Department, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Richard Jager, Deputy George Cholico, and Deputy Crystal Martucci. The complaint alleged that the agencies and officers were “reckless and negligent” and used “excessive force” while attempting to take Sheahan into custody. Sheahan sought damages in excess of $15,000.4Reno Gazette Journal. Reno Nevada Police Sued for Excessive Force in 2020 Shooting of Christopher Sheahan
No publicly reported settlement, dismissal, or court ruling in the civil case has been identified in available reporting.