In the crisp afternoon of November 22, 2015, in Reno, Nevada, a dispute at a triplex on East Grove Street escalated into a burst of violence that left 45-year-old Mathew Grows dead. The events of that day began with a disagreement between Grows and his neighbors. Following the argument, Grows retreated to his apartment, only to reemerge armed with a. 45 caliber pistol and multiple loaded magazines.
Without warning, he began shooting, seriously wounding two individuals in the yard of the property.
The sound of gunfire and screams shattered the Sunday peace, prompting calls to law enforcement. Reno Police Department officers arrived at a nearby 7-Eleven to find one of the victims with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. As they were gathering information, more shots rang out from the direction of the East Grove Street triplex. The officers, believing they were dealing with an active shooter situation, rushed towards the sound of the chaos.
Upon entering the driveway of the triplex, they encountered a white male, later identified as Mathew Grows, holding a pistol. He was moving towards three unarmed civilians. The officers, in full uniform, announced their presence and repeatedly ordered Grows to drop his weapon. Ignoring their commands, Grows raised his firearm in the direction of the civilians. Perceiving an imminent and deadly threat, two of the officers fired their duty weapons, striking Grows multiple times. He fell to the ground, and after his weapon was secured, medical aid was rendered. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The subsequent investigation into the officer-involved shooting was led by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. After a thorough review of the evidence and witness statements, the Washoe County District Attorney's Office concluded that the officers' actions were justified. The report detailed that Grows had initiated the violence by shooting his neighbors and posed a continued threat to the lives of others at the scene. No arrests were made in connection to his death, as he was identified as the sole instigator of the events that led to the fatal confrontation with law enforcement.
