Reno Police Release Body Cam Footage of Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

27-year-old Michael Johnson killed after allegedly lunging at officers with a metal chain

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Reno Police Department has released body camera footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on February 3rd on the Wells Avenue Bridge. The incident began when officers responded to reports of a person sitting on the bridge, and ended with the death of 27-year-old Michael Johnson after he allegedly lunged at officers while holding a metal chain.

Why it matters

This incident has raised questions about police use of force and the handling of mental health-related calls. The release of the body cam footage is an attempt by the Reno Police Department to be transparent about the events leading up to the shooting.

The details

According to the footage, officers initially tried to de-escalate the situation and offer Johnson resources, but he refused to comply with their commands. After around 15 minutes of negotiation, Johnson began walking towards Kuenzli Street, at which point officers attempted to detain him. One officer recognized Johnson from a previous incident where he was allegedly armed with a knife. When officers told Johnson to drop the knife he was carrying, he denied having one, but then allegedly lunged at the officers while producing a large metal tow-style chain from his jacket pocket. The officers then opened fire, fatally shooting Johnson. During the shooting, one officer was struck in the chest by a discharged round, but was treated and released from the hospital.

  • The incident occurred on February 3, 2026 just before 4:00 p.m.
  • Officers were on the scene for around 15 minutes before the shooting occurred.

The players

Michael Johnson

A 27-year-old man who was fatally shot by Reno police officers after allegedly lunging at them with a metal chain.

Reno Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and released the body cam footage of the shooting.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office

The agency that has taken over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must thoroughly investigate all officer-involved shootings to ensure proper protocols were followed and to identify any areas for improvement.”

— Sheriff Darin Balaam, Washoe County Sheriff

What’s next

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office will continue its investigation into the incident to determine if the officers' use of force was justified.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for continued training and resources for law enforcement when responding to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. It also underscores the importance of transparency and thorough investigations into officer-involved shootings.