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Legal proceedings against accused cop shooter Peter Coca are on indefinite hold pending the Wells man physical and perhaps mental health evaluation.
Charged with 13 counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, Coca is now reportedly being held at an undisclosed location either in Carson City or in Reno.
“I really can’t say where he is,” said an assistant to the Elko Justice court. “Only that where he is being held makes it impossible for us to hold his preliminary hearing even by telephone.”
Coca surrendered to police on February 26 following a two day man hunt.
The previous Thursday Elko County Deputies and NHP troopers were called to the Wells’ man home in response to a ‘violent domestic dispute’. When they arrived the saw Coca on the roof brandishing an assault rifle. From that rooftop snipers’ perch Coca held off the deputies and NHP troopers for about 30 minutes firing well over 50 rounds critically injuring one
Deputy Lenwood Van Natter was hit by multiple rifle shots in the chest, hip and legs. Deputy Van Natter was pulled from the scene by the other officers and transported via Summit Air Ambulance to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Deputy Van Natter underwent surgery for his injuries .
Charged with 13 counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, Coca is now reportedly being held at an undisclosed location either in Carson City or in Reno.
“I really can’t say where he is,” said an assistant to the Elko Justice court. “Only that where he is being held makes it impossible for us to hold his preliminary hearing even by telephone.”
Coca surrendered to police on February 26 following a two day man hunt.
The previous Thursday Elko County Deputies and NHP troopers were called to the Wells’ man home in response to a ‘violent domestic dispute’. When they arrived the saw Coca on the roof brandishing an assault rifle. From that rooftop snipers’ perch Coca held off the deputies and NHP troopers for about 30 minutes firing well over 50 rounds critically injuring one
Deputy Lenwood Van Natter was hit by multiple rifle shots in the chest, hip and legs. Deputy Van Natter was pulled from the scene by the other officers and transported via Summit Air Ambulance to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Deputy Van Natter underwent surgery for his injuries .
Originally listed in critical condition, Van Natter is now expected to survive and be released from the hospital in the near future.
Shortly after he surrendered Coca complained of chest pains and was transported to a Reno area hospital.
While the case against Coca is on hold two NHP troopers were award the medal of valor Friday for their role in the rescue of Deputy Van Natter.
Shortly after he surrendered Coca complained of chest pains and was transported to a Reno area hospital.
While the case against Coca is on hold two NHP troopers were award the medal of valor Friday for their role in the rescue of Deputy Van Natter.
NHP Troopers Ben Jenkins and Jeff Howell, and Nevada Division of Investigations Sgt. Kelly Stuehling, received the Medal of Valor from Governor Sandoval in Carson City.
According to the NHP press release immediately after Van Natter was hit, Trooper Jenkins and a second Elko Deputy, Mark Hawkins, ran into the line of fire and pulled Deputy Van Natter to safety behind a parked truck. Trooper Howell was pinned behind his patrol car as Coca continued to fire at him and the other officers. Trooper Howell provided cover for the rescue and kept the suspect at bay. Once Deputy Van Natter was removed from the scene, Trooper Jenkins joined Trooper Howell, taking cover behind their patrol cars, and established surveillance while waiting for additional assistance.
Sgt. Kelly Stuehling, with the Nevada Division of Investigations, responded to the area to assist in establishing a perimeter to locate Coca. Shortly after arriving, Coca fired his assault rifle at Sgt. Stuehling and another responding officer. They found cover and kept the suspect from leaving the controlled area.
According to the citation: “The heroic efforts of Troopers Jenkins, Trooper Howell and Sgt. Kelly Stuehling while under gun fire most certainly assisted in the life saving efforts of Deputy Van Natter and the containment of the suspect. Their efforts limited further injury to other officers and the public, at great risk to their own safety.”
According to the NHP press release immediately after Van Natter was hit, Trooper Jenkins and a second Elko Deputy, Mark Hawkins, ran into the line of fire and pulled Deputy Van Natter to safety behind a parked truck. Trooper Howell was pinned behind his patrol car as Coca continued to fire at him and the other officers. Trooper Howell provided cover for the rescue and kept the suspect at bay. Once Deputy Van Natter was removed from the scene, Trooper Jenkins joined Trooper Howell, taking cover behind their patrol cars, and established surveillance while waiting for additional assistance.
Sgt. Kelly Stuehling, with the Nevada Division of Investigations, responded to the area to assist in establishing a perimeter to locate Coca. Shortly after arriving, Coca fired his assault rifle at Sgt. Stuehling and another responding officer. They found cover and kept the suspect from leaving the controlled area.
According to the citation: “The heroic efforts of Troopers Jenkins, Trooper Howell and Sgt. Kelly Stuehling while under gun fire most certainly assisted in the life saving efforts of Deputy Van Natter and the containment of the suspect. Their efforts limited further injury to other officers and the public, at great risk to their own safety.”
