Woman slain in Reno shooting that shuts down U.S. 395

RENO - A Reno woman was killed and a 29-year-man who knew her arrested on suspicion of murder in a shooting on the edge of town early Monday that shut down part of U.S. Highway 395 for more than seven hours through the morning commute.

Police and state troopers were called to the scene at 2:35 a.m. after a man began shooting at passing motorists on U.S. 395 north of Reno between Stead and Lemmon Valley, Reno police Sgt. Dave Della said.

Arriving officers found the shooting victim next to a car along the highway and were trying to resuscitate her when the suspect returned to the scene and was taken into custody without incident, Della said.

The 31-year-old woman was declared dead at the scene. Her name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The suspect, Jeffrey Rodriguez, knew the victim but the two apparently were in separate vehicles, police said. Rodriguez was being held without bail on suspicion of open murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of ex-felon in possession of a firearm, Della said.

The shooting forced the rerouting of traffic for several miles in both directions into midmorning along the major north-south route through Reno that intersects with Interstate 80. All lanes were open by 10:30 a.m.

Detectives were continuing to interview a number of witnesses.

Police commander Mac Venzon told the Reno Gazette-Journal the victim and suspect were in different cars but had few other details.

"We are still trying to figure out sequence of events," he said.