Rival gangs duke it out

Sixteen teenagers were detained after a gang fight involving about 20 people on Goni Road Saturday afternoon. The most seriously injured was treated at Carson Tahoe Hospital for head wounds and released. He had been punched in the ear, authorities said.

"Fortunately the sound of speeding police cars and sirens broke it up before it got any worse," said Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Gary Underhill.

Deputies had advanced warning of the fight.

"We had intel that there was going to be a fight between a white gang and a Hispanic or Indian gang," said Underhill. "It was supposed to happen on the Carson reservation at 1:30."

That fight never materialized but officers later received a call about a possible fight on Goni Road.

"About 4 p.m. we got a call saying there were 20 Hispanic male subjects standing in a circle on Goni. While we were coming up here these cars came flying down. Another three did U-turns and headed back up the hill."

Officers stopped three compact, newer sedans on Goni Road just north of Franklin Road. Several teenagers sat handcuffed on the ground while deputies collected their names and ran records checks.

Most of those detained were spectators - not participants in the fight.

"The actual participants were able to flee the scene before we got there," Underhill said.

Witnesses said one of those involved in the fight used a police-style baton.

"I'd like to talk to that guy because those aren't usually available to the public," Underhill said.

Officers are also looking for information about a red pickup truck driven by a white, male adult with a shaved head. Anyone with information should call Secret Witness at 322-4900 or the Carson City Sheriff's Department at 887-2008.