Carson City man pleads guilty in Dec. 3 standoff with SWAT
A Carson City man who shot inside a Morgan Mill residence earlier this month while an elderly family member hid in the home, forcing a standoff in which SWAT responded, pled guilty in Carson City court to felony assault with a deadly weapon, according to the district attorney's office.
Christoper M. Conti, 39, entered his guilty plea Tuesday to assault with a deadly weapon, said Garrit Pruyt, Deputy District Attorney for Carson City. Conti previously pled guilty in Carson City Justice Court on Dec. 20 to being in possession with firearm while intoxicated.
The incident happened Dec. 3 after the man threatened suicide with a knife inside the home, which was occupied by the family member. The woman went into hiding inside a bedroom after she was threatened with a knife. The man then allegedly produced a gun and began shooting. According to the booking report, investigators learned the man shot approximately 10 times from a .45 caliber revolver, both inside and outside the residence in the backyard.
Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies attempted to talk the man to coming outside the home. The man exited the residence and was ordered to drop the gun. The man yelled for officers to shoot him. At that point SWAT deployed bean bag rounds, striking the man in the right thigh, where he dropped his gun. SWAT took him into custody. See previous coverage here and here.
Conti is being held on the felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon, where his case will be heard in a mental health court prior to sentencing, said Pruyt. Prosecutors are in communication with his family regarding the man's mental health status, Pruyt added. Conti faces 24 to 72 months in Nevada State Prison. Sentencing will be Feb. 11.