No Such Thing as a Routine Traffic Stop

What began as a traffic stop east of Fallon Sunday night escalated into a high-speed pursuit, gunfire, and an arrest on tribal land.

On March 1, 2026, at approximately 7:17 p.m., a Churchill County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black passenger vehicle after observing a traffic violation. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the driver failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

Deputies reported the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, at times traveling left of center and through residential areas. The pursuit was ultimately discontinued due to public safety concerns, as the driver’s actions were described as reckless.

The vehicle was located later abandoned on the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Reservation.

According to law enforcement, as heard over the police scanner during the pursuit, deputies broadcast over the radio that shots had been fired. Neighbors on the reservation also reported hearing gunfire. 

With assistance from the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Police Department and a Churchill County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, deputies began tracking the suspect in the area where the vehicle was abandoned.

The suspect, identified as David Christy, was located hiding and taken into custody.

Following the arrest, deputies searched the vehicle. According to the broadcast over the scanner, drug paraphernalia was found on the driver’s side floorboard. A controlled substance was located in the center console. Deputies also located a .22 caliber Ruger firearm inside the vehicle with an obliterated serial number.

After running Christy’s criminal history, deputies confirmed he is a convicted felon and not legally permitted to possess firearms. A second firearm was also located.

Christy was booked on multiple charges, including:

• Driving under the influence
• Felon in possession of two firearms
• Altering or obliterating the serial number of a firearm
• Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance under 14 grams
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Carrying a concealed weapon
• Evading or eluding a law enforcement officer
• Resisting a public officer
• Reckless driving with disregard for safety
• Driving left of center
• Failure to obey a stop sign
• Driving with a canceled, revoked, or suspended license
• Parole and probation violation

The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office stated that no other outstanding suspects are believed to be in the community.

The Sheriff’s Office also thanked the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Police Department and Fallon Police Department for their assistance in taking the suspect into custody.