Reno police arrest murder suspect, find stolen firearms

Reno police have arrested a man in connection with the Tuesday murder of 31-year-old Patrick McDaniel.

Mike Kizer, 34, was arrested after police recovered a number of firearms, as well as ammunition, explosives and additional items stolen from an unspecified California law enforcement agency. The stolen goods were found in an apartment in the 2100 block of Sutro Ave.

Kizer was arrested for open murder, which allows prosecutors to decide later what degree of murder is appropriate. While the investigation is ongoing, there are no other outstanding suspects at this time.

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McDaniel was initially in possession of the stolen goods, including the firearms, ammunition and explosive caps, police believe. He and a friend transported the stolen goods to 175 E. Grove St. as part of a sale of those items, according to police.

While in the parking lot, Kizer, a participant in the sale, produced a firearm and shot McDaniel multiple times at approximately 11:50 p.m., according to police reports.

Kizer fled the scene in McDaniel’s vehicle, which contained the stolen merchandise, police said. McDaniel was transported to a local hospital, where he was declared dead. His vehicle was located abandoned the following morning.

On Thursday, police located Kizer at a business in the 200 block of N. McCarran Blvd. in Sparks and took him into custody. Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant for the apartment.

The Reno Police Department SWAT team with the assistance of detectives, police negotiators, and the Consolidated Bomb Squad conducted a search early morning Friday and discovered the stolen goods.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to call the police department or Secret Witness, 775-322-4900.