Column: No, there wasn't a homicide in Indian Hills this week, but it's understandable to still be concerned
Community members of Douglas County and Carson City, and even our neighbors in Washoe County, took to social media Monday discussing whether or not there was another homicide in Indian Hills, which, according to Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, did not occur. While there was a death that occurred inside one of the residences, there was no suspicion of foul play.
In the aftermath of the tragic four killings in our neighborhoods, it’s understandable to still be on high alert. A 19-year-old man residing in Carson City by the name of Wilbur Ernesto Martinez-Guzman was arrested in connection with the four crimes on Saturday.
However, conspiracy theories have begun to run rampant on social media that either it wasn’t Guzman, or that he didn’t act alone.
Backers of this theory say it’s because police hadn’t released any leads or suspects, and suddenly had a man in custody.
This shouldn’t be surprising, however. Law Enforcement must keep their cards close to their chest when there’s a murder suspect on the loose. Especially in the day and age of up-to-date social media postings.
In the aftermath of the second killing of Sophia Renken, age 74, which occurred only three days after the first killing of Connie Koontz, age 56, occurring on Jan. 10 and 13, the community worked itself into an understandable panic. This panic escalated when Gerald and Sharon David were killed on Jan. 16 in their South Reno home.
The lack of information from law enforcement left the community to make its own connections. However, what needs to be understood is that law enforcement’s job is to bring criminals to justice in the most effective way they can. If the most effective way is to keep information on a need-to-know basis so they don’t spook the criminal, then that’s what they’re going to do.
However, it’s understandable for the community to still be on high alert. After our towns spent over a week panicked, terrified, suspicious, and doing everything they could to secure themselves, their loved ones and their safety, it’s difficult to immediately go back to the normal routine.
Some positive things came out during this experience, as tragic as it was. Neighbors checked on each other. They came together for candle light vigils, and supported their elderly citizens. People began walking each other to their cars at night. If they saw something suspicious, they called it in instead of simply shrugging and walking past.
These are the lessons we should carry with us as community members and neighbors. Look out for one another, check in on your neighbors if you haven’t seen them for awhile. Let each other know that you have their backs, even if they’re just strangers.
The community needs time to heal from the ordeal we went through during the past two weeks. But we should also refrain from jumping to conclusions, and we should be wary of what we read on social media without input from law enforcement.
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