Executive Summary
- Incident: Homicide investigation initiated after a fatal shooting on January 22, 2025.
- Location: Near Fish Springs Road, involving Washoe and Lassen County authorities.
- Victim: Identified as John D. Allen, 39, of Doyle, California.
- Public Appeal: Sheriff’s Office requests tips via email or Secret Witness (Case WC25-403).
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of a deceased man near Fish Springs Road on January 22, 2025. According to official reports, deputies were dispatched to the area after receiving notification of a battery involving a deadly weapon.
Law enforcement officials stated that the response was conducted in conjunction with the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located a male subject who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the location by emergency responders.
Authorities have identified the victim as 39-year-old John D. Allen, a resident of Doyle, California. The WCSO indicated that the case remains an active homicide investigation. Detectives are currently soliciting information from the public, urging any witnesses or individuals with knowledge of the incident to contact the WCSO Detective Division at wcsotips@washoecounty.gov or to submit anonymous tips via Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.
Investigative Outlook
The classification of this incident as an active homicide investigation initiates a comprehensive forensic and procedural review by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. In cases involving cross-jurisdictional cooperation, such as this joint response with Lassen County, the pooling of resources is often critical for tracing victim movements and identifying potential suspects. At this stage, law enforcement relies heavily on witness testimony to establish a timeline of events leading to the shooting. No suspects have been publicly named or charged at this time.
