Anthony S. Minetto Sr.

RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

January 28, 1997

2 KILLED IN SPARKS SHOOTING

Apparent Murder Suicide: Gunfire erupts after minor traffic accident

A Cold Springs carpenter police described as “at the end of his rope” killed a federal immigration agent Monday afternoon before shooting himself after their cars were involved in a minor collision at a busy freeway off-ramp in Sparks.

Witnesses saw the man pump several shots into Anthony S. Minetto Sr., 49 – a Reno native and Immigration and Naturalization Service agent since 1988…before killing himself with the agent’s pistol.

The Washoe County coroner identified the shooter as James Dennis Brown II, 35, of 17650 S. Reno Park…

Sparks Police Chief John Dotson said the man who triggered the “senseless tragedy” was “at the end of his rope and took somebody with him. He may have had plans to leave town.”

…Dotson said Brown shot at Minetto six times with a .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol. He then took Minetto’s pistol, a .40-caliber Beretta, and shot him once as he lay on the pavement. He then turned the weapon on himself with both hands and fired into his mouth.

“It does not appear that he (Minetto) was ever able to fire his gun,” Dotson said.

…Dotson said Minetto had called 911 immediately after the accident and asked for a police officer. He said the agent sounded “calm” and did not indicate any trouble, “It’s clear from our dispatch tape that he called in the accident in a very calm and collected manner,” Dotson said.

Motorists stopped at the scene said the men had been shouting at each other before the gunfire.

…Minetto’s survivors include his wife of 26 years, Judy, and grown children Mark, Kevin, Jason and Kami. …funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Life Center, 3200 Sutro St. with burial at Mountain View Cemetery.

February 1, 1997

500 Lawmen Mourn INS Agent

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno joined hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement officers, firefighters and military veterans at a memorial service for an immigration officer who was shot and killed this week.

Plaque Location & Image

South Wall Column 14 Row F     View The Plaque