Four charged in battery victim's death

A 54-year-old Gardnerville man died Monday less than 24 hours after an anonymous tipster said he was beaten by four men who repeatedly hit and kicked him.

Douglas County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Halsey said Terrence Howell died Monday after paramedics were called to his residence in the Rancho Vista apartments because he was having difficulty breathing.

Two male adults and two juveniles were jailed without bail Monday on charges of open murder.

They are Anthony Sie Gomez, 30, of Gardnerville; Jason Waugh, 28, of Gardnerville, Jimmy Holman, 15 and Alex Vail, 15.

According to reports, Vail is a documented gang member who was on formal juvenile probation at the time of his arrest.

District Attorney Mark Jackson said Holman and Vail would be tried as adults.

Halsey said deputies still are investigating whether the crime was gang-related.

They are to appear Wednesday before East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl.

Halsey said an anonymous tipster called deputies at 6:25 p.m. Sunday to report a man was being beaten by three or four men in the area of El Dorado Avenue and Apollo Drive in Gardnerville.

Howell reportedly was jumped by the four suspects as he was riding his bicycle in the area.

By the time deputies arrived, the fight was over.

Deputies contacted Howell who complained of stomach and shoulder pain from the fight. He refused treatment and said he would drive himself to the emergency room. According to reports, he was evaluated and released.

Monday morning, after complaining of shortness of breath, Howell was transported to Carson-Tahoe Hospital and died later that afternoon.

Halsey said the cause of death is believed to be from internal injuries due to blunt force trauma. An autopsy was performed Tuesday by the Washoe County Coroner's office.

Results are pending.

Jackson said Holman and Vail will proceed through the adult court criminal system because of the charges.

"The juvenile court does not have jurisdiction to preside over Holman's or Vail's case, as a child under the age of 18 is not a juvenile when charged with the crimes of murder or attempted murder," Jackson said.

They will remain in Douglas County Jail unless they post bail, an amount to be determined at a later hearing, Jackson said.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact sheriff's Investigator Greg Rooney, 782-9926.