Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal Shooting in Fernley, Suspects Outstanding (Updates Below)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2026
Fernley, NV – On June 1, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., deputies with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Command Area responded to the 1600 block of Burger Road in Fernley, Nevada, for a report of a shooting involving one victim.
Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. Personnel from the North Lyon Fire Protection District responded to the scene and immediately initiated lifesaving measures. Despite those efforts, the male subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Witnesses reported the victim had been involved in an altercation with two adult male subjects moments prior to the shooting. Following the incident, both subjects fled the area. One subject was reportedly operating a red quad, while the second subject fled in a tan Jeep (photos attached).
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for both subjects and the associated vehicles. At this time, investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the general public; however, both subjects remain outstanding, are considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached.
Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the involved subjects or vehicles is urged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 463-6620.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is actively investigating this homicide.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available and appropriate to do so.
Fernley Homicide Update – Suspects Identified
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division has identified the two outstanding subjects involved in the June 1, 2026 homicide investigation on Burger Road in Fernley as 44-year-old Fernley resident James Edward Karol and 40-year-old Fernley resident Jeremey Barrett.
Investigators have identified Barrett as the individual responsible for the shooting.
Both subjects remain outstanding and are actively being sought by law enforcement. Investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the general public at this time; however, both subjects should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Karol, Barrett, or the associated vehicles is urged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 463-6620.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available and appropriate to do so.
Jeffrey S. Miller
Central Commander
Lyon County Sheriff’s Office
Fernley Homicide Update – One Suspect Captured, One Outstanding
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has located and taken 44-year-old Fernley resident James Edward Karol into custody in connection with the June 1, 2026 homicide investigation on Burger Road in Fernley. The tan Jeep associated with the investigation has also been recovered.
The investigation remains active and 40-year-old Fernley resident Jeremey Barrett remains outstanding. Investigators have identified Barrett as the individual responsible for the shooting.
Barrett should still be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information regarding Barrett’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 463-6620.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available and appropriate to do so.
Fernley Homicide Update – Second Suspect Arrested
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has taken 40-year-old Fernley resident Jeremey Barrett into custody in connection with the June 1, 2026 homicide investigation on Burger Road in Fernley.
Earlier in the investigation, 44-year-old Fernley resident James Edward Karol was also taken into custody and the tan Jeep associated with the investigation was recovered.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for its assistance and the numerous law enforcement partners who assisted throughout the investigation.
The investigation remains active and additional information will be released as it becomes available and appropriate to do so.
Fernley Homicide Update – Victim Identified
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2026
Fernley, NV – The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the homicide that occurred on June 1, 2026, in Fernley, Nevada.
The victim has been identified as 45-year-old Fernley resident Richard Allen Hightower.
As previously released, investigators identified 40-year-old Fernley resident Jeremy Barrett as the shooter and 44-year-old Fernley resident James Edward Karol as an involved suspect. Both suspects have since been taken into custody.
Both Barrett and Karol were charged with Open Murder and remain in the Lyon County with No Bail.
This investigation resulted in a significant and rapid law enforcement response throughout Lyon County. Through the coordinated efforts of responding agencies and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office personnel, all suspects were identified, located, and taken into custody within approximately four hours of the initial call for service.
Over 50% of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office sworn personnel were mobilized and responded during the incident and subsequent manhunt operations. Responding personnel included deputies and supervisors from the Northern, Southern, Central, and Western Command patrol areas, members of the Detention Division, the Investigations Division including the Special Investigations Unit and Major Crimes Unit, the LCSO K9 Unit, the LCSO SWAT Team, and members of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Administration. Additionally, approximately 75% of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division assisted in managing the incident response. Lyon County Emergency Services personnel also responded in support of the operation.
The coordinated response, rapid mobilization of personnel, and strong interagency collaboration played a critical role in quickly locating the suspects and helping ensure the safety of the community.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the City of Fernley, Nevada State Police, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Investigative Services Unit for their assistance throughout this investigation.
This remains an active investigation. Additional information may be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (775) 577-5206 or by email at detective@lyon-county.org. Please reference case number 26LY02167.
Jeffrey S. Miller
Central Commander
