Victims Released; No Charges Filed Against Reno Man In Winnemucca Shootings

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Updated: 6:42 AM May 27, 2008 Victims Released; No Charges Filed Against Reno Man In Winnemucca Shootings Two people injured during a shootout at a Winnemucca bar that left three others dead have been released from the hospital. Posted: 5:54 PM May 25, 2008

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Two people injured during a shootout at a Winnemucca bar that left three others dead have been released from the hospital.

Police say a 22-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were released from the hospital Monday.

Authorities continue to investigate the shootings that they believe may have been sparked by a simmering feud between several local families.

Winnemucca Police Chief Bob Davidson says the violence erupted around 2:30 A.M. Sunday when a man entered the crowded Players Bar and Grill. He fatally shot two brothers, 20-year-old Jose Torres and his 19-year-old brother, Margarito. The shooter was later identified as 30 year old Ernesto Villagomez. All three were from Winnemucca.

According to witnesses, Villagomez at some point stopped to reload his high-capacity handgun and began shooting again when he was shot and killed by another patron - a 48-year-old Reno man who had a valid concealed weapons permit.

The Reno man was initially taken into custody as a person of interest, but later released after Humboldt County District Attorney Russell Smith determined the shooting was justifiable homicide.

Latest Comments

Posted by: chicana Location: winnemucca on Jan 19, 2009 at 12:12 AM

hey wmca girl, if u only knew the truth you would truly hate hernesto for what he did because neither MARK or JOE shot or killed anybody from that family, that family is still illegally here and ever since they moved here about 6 yers ago they have been causing a lot of trouble. im mad that somebody shot ernesto because i wish he would have suffered all his life!!! JOE AND MARK were fathers and it wasnt their turn to leave this world. the villagomez and cervantes family should all die or at least be deported back to mexico, where they also have problems and their own town wants them all dead!!! i hope that family pays for all the wrong that they have done, they have destroyed so many families!!!i miss u mark and joe!!!

Posted by: Wmca Girl Location: Winnemucca on May 31, 2008 at 08:20 PM

Just for the record - Ernesto had NO PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD of any kind - never even got in trouble in school. Please notice in the video the Torres boys both have MUG Shots as their photos. I am not justifying what Ernesto did but you can only fear for your life for so long before you take matters into your own hands. Ernestos younger brother was shot & paralyzed by the Torres almost a year ago and they had STILL not gone to trial AND were out on bail! Shooting at a residence - attempted murder. HOW WERE THEY OUT ON BAIL!!!! Let's wait on the legal system. Not to mention Ernesto had his jaw broken approx 1 month ago by these guys AND had been stalked and been threatend with getting stabbed the night of the shootings. There is ALOT to this story that is untold. We will miss you Ernesto!!!

Posted by: julee Location: oregon on May 29, 2008 at 07:27 PM

I personaly know Ernesto and for the record, he was not a criminal, he was protecting his family. He was always a very hard working man who was not into drugs or gangs. My family and I will long remember Ernesto as the kind loving hard working family man. My heart gors out to his family during there time of loss. People should know that his other brother was killed by the Torez family years ago. This was a never ending war. So sad.

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