On May 4, 2020, Ronal Adalberto Zendejas, a 36-year-old man, entered the office of Motel 6 in Sparks, Nevada, and rented a room for the night. However, Zendejas’ behavior was rude and aggressive, indicating that he was drunk. After renting the room, he proceeded to punch the plexiglass separating the lobby and employee areas, and then punched the office window as he left. Shortly after, Zendejas returned to the office in an even angrier state, but left again shortly thereafter. Just minutes later, Zendejas followed the general manager into the office, this time armed with a running chainsaw.
In response to Zendejas’ threatening actions, the general manager retreated behind the counter, while the front desk manager sought cover in the employee bathroom. Zendejas, still armed with the chainsaw, proceeded to cut through the swinging half-door that separates the lobby and employee areas, gaining access to the employee area.
Zendejas later left the office and went to room number 102, located next to the office. He confronted the occupant of that room and swung the chainsaw towards him, forcing the occupant to take evasive measures. During this dangerous encounter, Zendejas also damaged the door and door handle to room number 102. Two calls were made to 911 at approximately 8:08 pm, and officers from the Sparks Police Department (SPD) promptly responded to the scene.
The first two officers to arrive were Officer Thomas Radley and Officer Adrian Berumen. Upon arrival, the individuals present at the scene pointed out Zendejas, who was sitting in his blue Honda Accord parked in the Motel 6 parking lot. Dressed in full police uniforms, the officers approached Zendejas and verbally identified themselves as police officers, ordering him to stop and show his hands. However, Zendejas ignored their commands, rapidly reversed his vehicle, and then sped out of the parking lot.
Zendejas’ attempt to flee resulted in him driving recklessly across all travel lanes of Victorian Avenue, even striking a metal street sign, before finally coming to a stop on landscaping rocks. Officers Radley and Berumen chased after Zendejas, with Officer Berumen repeatedly instructing him to stop the car. Despite these commands, Zendejas refused to comply and instead reversed his vehicle, dragging the street sign with it. He then collided with Officer Berumen’s patrol vehicle and rear-ended the wall of a nearby car wash. Recognizing the grave danger Zendejas posed to themselves and the public, Officers Radley and Berumen continued their pursuit.
As the officers closed in on Zendejas, Officer Radley once again ordered him to show his hands and stop, but Zendejas accelerated away from the car wash at a high speed. In response to the ongoing threat, Officer Radley, followed by Officer Berumen, fired their duty handguns at Zendejas. When the gunfire ceased, Zendejas’ vehicle veered into a parking lot next to a smog shop and crashed head-on into a wall.
Additional officers arrived at the scene, approached the crashed vehicle, and removed Zendejas from the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, Zendejas did not survive the incident, and a subsequent autopsy determined that he died from multiple gunshot wounds.
This incident highlights the dangerous and unpredictable nature of law enforcement work. The actions of Officers Radley and Berumen were a response to the imminent threat posed by a suspect armed with a running chainsaw, who had already displayed aggressive and violent behavior. The officers acted to protect themselves, their fellow officers, and the public from harm.
Law enforcement officers face challenging situations on a daily basis and must make split-second decisions to ensure public safety. While the loss of life is always unfortunate, it is important to recognize the difficult circumstances faced by these officers and the need to protect themselves and others from imminent harm.
The Sparks Police Department will conduct an internal investigation into the incident, as is customary in cases involving the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers. This investigation will ensure that the officers’ actions were in accordance with department policies and procedures.
In conclusion, the incident at Motel 6 in Sparks, Nevada, on May 4, 2020, involving a man armed with a chainsaw, highlights the dangerous situations that law enforcement officers can face in the line of duty. The swift response and actions of Officers Radley and Berumen were necessary to protect themselves and the public from imminent harm. The subsequent investigation by the Sparks Police Department will provide a thorough examination of the incident to ensure adherence to department protocols.
