GERAGOS & GERAGOS

A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
LAWYERS
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Telephone (213) 625-3900
Facsimile (213) 625-1600
Geragos@Geragos.com

September 24, 2015

UPDATE ON OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING OF LIONEL IRVING

UNARMED AFRICAN AMERICAN, FATHER-OF-TWO, IN RENO, NEVADA
On September 2, 2015 at approximately 9:30 a.m., Lionel Irving, a 31 year-old father-of-two,
was the victim of an officer involved shooting in the 3200 block of Clover Drive near Mona Lane in
Reno.
Mr. Irving, an unarmed African American male, was shot in the head by an officer in front of the
apartment complex where he lived with his girlfriend in Reno, Nevada (in the 3200 block of Clover
Drive) as he exited the complex to purchase food for his children. Mr. Irving was shot in the head by an
officer later identified as a member of the Sparks Police Department.
Mr. Irving did not recognize the plain clothes individuals to be police officers and they did not
identify themselves before shooting. Mr. Irving was shot within seconds of being approached.
Mr. Irving received emergency medical treatment at Renown Regional Medical Center where,
against all odds, he survived the shot to his head. Mr. Irving has suffered catastrophic injuries impairing
basic life functions.
Mr. Irving was prematurely released to Washoe County Detention Facility on September 20,
2015 where he is now being deprived of adequate health services.
Mr. Irving is being denied meals and drinks, and is being force fed blended burritos while on a
trach causing him to continuously choke. Mr. Irvings injuries permit only a liquid diet. Mr. Irving is
being held on a purported warrant from Alameda County, California for absconding on a parole
violation for minor narcotics dating back nearly 10 years. To cover up their unlawful conduct following
the shooting, the police falsely reported that this was a homicide warrant.
Lionel Irving has retained Mark Geragos and Geragos & Geragos, APC to hold the police
accountable for the unlawful shooting and to address Mr. Irvings immediate health crisis. Mr. Geragos
stated, We will hold these officers who shot to kill rather than serve and protect accountable for
shooting Mr. Irving in the head and defaming him as he struggles to survive We will ensure Mr. Irving
receives justice and that he can live the remainder of his life with dignity. The Geragos Firm has
associated with Reno based attorney David Houston of the Law Office of David Houston to jointly
petition the court for Mr. Irvings immediate release. Mr. Irvings friends and family will be using the
hashtag #FreeIrving to inform the public about the unlawful shooting and to bring accountability to
Reno.

Photographs of Lionel Irving

#FreeIrving

#FreeIrving
Please direct all press inquiries to Mr. Irvings attorneys Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas.
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