FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 9/16/2025 SHOOTING SUSPECT APPREHENDED
SUSPECT(S): Nicholas Jose Reyes; 29-year-old male from Ridgecrest
CHARGE(S): PC 246 – Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling PC 246.3- Discharge if a Firearm with Gross Neglect PC 422- Terrorist Threats PC 273a(a)- Child Abuse PC 29800(a)- Felon/Addict Possess Firearm PC 30305(a)(1)- Prohibited Person Possess Firearm PC 207- Kidnapping PC 594(a)(1)- Vandalism
RIDGECREST, CA - September 16, 2025, about 1534 hours, a 911 caller reported a shooting in the 400 block of North Gold Canyon Drive. The suspect reportedly shot at a home and sped away from the scene. The first Ridgecrest Police Officer was in the area of the shooting in just over one minute. The Sierra Sands School District administration was immediately notified, as three District schools are located in near proximity.
The intended victim was able to identify the suspect as Nicholas Reyes from personal knowledge. Detectives determined Reyes’ last known address and began surveillance of that location.
In the meantime, a search was conducted using the FLOCK Safety system, in an effort to identify the vehicle in which Reyes was traveling.
Shortly after the vehicle was identified in the FLOCK Safety system (1640 hours), the suspect vehicle was seen in the neighborhood in which he resides. Officers immediately conducted a high-risk enforcement stop on the vehicle and confirmed Reyes as the driver. Reyes was taken into custody without incident.
In Ridgecrest, we are fortunate these types of violent crimes are not commonplace. The full resources of the Police Department were immediately deployed to locate this suspected violent felon before any further violence could be perpetrated.
“I am grateful for the men and women of the Department who immediately took decisive steps to locate and arrest Reyes,” said Chief Ysit.
Prepared by: Officer Ryan Smith Mario Ysit, Chief of Police