On January 7, 2021, a fatal shooting occurred at a trailer park in the southern part of Elko, Nevada, resulting in the death of 32-year-old Matthew Allen Baze. The incident involved two victims: Baze, who was found in front of a mobile home, and a female victim discovered inside the home. Both victims were shot around 10:15 a.m. and were immediately transported to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Baze was later flown to a hospital in Salt Lake City for advanced and intensive care, but he succumbed to his wounds the following day, Friday, January 8, 2021. The female victim underwent surgery for a bullet wound and was reported to be recovering from her injuries.
The Elko Police Department identified 30-year-old Austin William Himmelman of Elko as the suspect in the shooting. Himmelman was described as a white male, standing 5'10” tall, weighing 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was considered armed and dangerous by the authorities. Prior to his arrest, investigators were looking for two vehicles of interest, which were later located. Himmelman had a history of arrests, including charges for trafficking a controlled substance, owning or possessing a gun by a prohibited person, and injury to personal property.
Himmelman was apprehended on January 12, 2021, in the Reno area, specifically just north of U.S. Interstate 80 in the 2400 block of Victorian Avenue at the intersection of Prater Way, near a Motel 6 and the Pony Express Motel. The arrest was a collaborative effort involving federal agents from the U.S. Marshals Service, Reno police, and the Washoe County sheriff's office. At the time of his arrest, Himmelman had been charged with possession of a gun by a prohibited person, but additional charges were pending as the investigation continued.
The Elko Police Department expressed gratitude to their law enforcement partners from the Regional Crime Suppression Unit for their assistance in apprehending Himmelman. The ongoing investigation was expected to result in further charges against him. As of the reports, it was not clear if Himmelman had a lawyer, and he was not yet listed as an inmate in the Washoe County jail records.
