Deputies investigate sniper shootings along I-80

Washoe County sheriff's sergeant Bob Towery said the man's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. He was taken to Washoe Medical Center.

"He was shot once in the chest. There's a bullet hole in the window," Towery said.

Three other vehicles were hit as well and at least two people were hit by flying glass.

"The window kind of exploded. I heard a loud pop, glass shattered in my face," Carl Ruggerio said.

He was westbound on the interstate just past the Mogul exit and said he thought at first a stone had hit the window, but then realized there were no other vehicles around.

The shootings took place between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Officials closed the busy highway for about a five-mile stretch from Reno's West Fourth Street exit west to the Boomtown Hotel and Casino near the California state line.

The actual shootings occurred between Mae Anne Drive and the Mogul exit. At least two vehicles had bullet holes through the centers of their windshields.

Dozens of officers from the sheriff's department, Reno police and the Nevada Highway Patrol were assisted by two sheriff's department helicopters in the search for a powder blue Chevrolet pickup driven by a white man described as being 30 years old, 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds with a beard and mustache and wearing a red cap and blue jeans.

Towery said the man being sought bought "an assault-type" weapon this morning from a pawn shop in Sun Valley. A shop worker called police after he heard about the shootings.

Traffic was re-routed along old U.S. 40 paralleling the interstate.

Towery said the highway would remain closed until it was deemed safe to re-open it.

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