RPD NEWS RELEASE
Reno Police have arrested a security officer in the December death of a man in the casino. Stefen Johnson, 24, has been charged with second degree murder.
Reno Police detectives investigated the death in conjunction with the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office. Several witnesses were interviewed, some of which were out of state and unavailable for an extensive amount of time, and all of the evidence had to be reviewed prior to submitting the case to the District Attorney’s Office for final review.
Reno Police officers had responded to the Eldorado Hotel Dec. 15 in regard to a subject in custody for trespassing. They spoke to the male who was being detained and called for medical assistance due to an apparent medical problem. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Upon review of the incident, it was determined that the victim had posted negative comments about the Bubinga Lounge security on social media and he was denied entry into the club based on these comments. A verbal altercation ensued and Johnson, a Bubinga security officer, used an excessive amount of bodily force against the victim which caused injuries that resulted in his death. An arrest warrant was obtained for Johnson today, and he was arrested without incident.
