On Monday April 6, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) responded to the 1100 block of Meadowlark Circle in Gardnerville for a report of a man threatening his neighbors with a shotgun.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Detwiler, 54, of Gardnerville, had entered a neighbor’s property armed with a shotgun and made threats.
When deputies arrived, Detwiler returned to his residence, refused to comply with Deputies’ orders and barricaded himself inside the residence. Deputies made numerous attempts to contact and communicate with Detwiler without success. DCSO SWAT and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) responded and continued efforts to establish communication.
A search warrant was obtained for Detwiler and his weapon. DCSO SWAT located Detwiler hiding in a crawl space beneath the residence.
Detwiler was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, intoxicated person in possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $52,486.
