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Courtesy of Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery The columbarium wall was damaged in a shooting Monday night at the veterans cemetery in Fernley.
FERNLEY - The Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley was vandalized Monday night when someone riddled the columbarium wall with bullets from a high-powered rifle.
Gabe Velazquez, equipment operator at the cemetery, said the wall was struck six times. The bullets damaged one niche cover with a name and another empty niche cover. The columbarium wall holds interred remains of veterans in separate niches faced with engraved plaques. The cement walkway in front of the wall was also damaged.
The damage was discovered Tuesday morning by cemetery worker Leroy Marx as he was preparing to inter remains in the wall. The Lyon County Sheriff's Department was called at 8:48 a.m. to investigate the scene.
Gabe Velazquez, equipment operator at the cemetery, said the wall was struck six times. The bullets damaged one niche cover with a name and another empty niche cover. The columbarium wall holds interred remains of veterans in separate niches faced with engraved plaques. The cement walkway in front of the wall was also damaged.
The damage was discovered Tuesday morning by cemetery worker Leroy Marx as he was preparing to inter remains in the wall. The Lyon County Sheriff's Department was called at 8:48 a.m. to investigate the scene.
Lt. Mike Lang from the Lyon County Sheriff's Department Fernley substation said eight shell casings were found. He speculated the bullets were fired from an AK-47 or SKS rifle based upon the 7.62x39 mm casings.
Land said a report has been filed but he has no suspects in the vandalism. The casings were sent to the Washoe County crime lab to be analyzed for forensic evidence including finger prints and DNA.
Velazquez said the shell casings were near the flagpole, which is about 100 yards away.
Land said a report has been filed but he has no suspects in the vandalism. The casings were sent to the Washoe County crime lab to be analyzed for forensic evidence including finger prints and DNA.
Velazquez said the shell casings were near the flagpole, which is about 100 yards away.
"I think it was just some knuckleheads goofing off," Velazquez said. "They could've done a lot more damage."
Cemetery Superintendent Wes Block said the flagpole is illuminated with lights facing upward while the columbarium wall is not. He said the shooter probably didn't even know what was being shot.
Even though the cemetery has large front gates, they are not closed or locked. Block said the gates remain open after staff leaves at 4:30 p.m. to allow cemetery visitors to visit loved ones at any time of day. He said the large gates are kept open because many of the visitors are elderly and would have trouble walking the distance from the front parking lot to various memorial areas.
Cemetery Superintendent Wes Block said the flagpole is illuminated with lights facing upward while the columbarium wall is not. He said the shooter probably didn't even know what was being shot.
Even though the cemetery has large front gates, they are not closed or locked. Block said the gates remain open after staff leaves at 4:30 p.m. to allow cemetery visitors to visit loved ones at any time of day. He said the large gates are kept open because many of the visitors are elderly and would have trouble walking the distance from the front parking lot to various memorial areas.
Block said he doubts the shooting is related to the controversy surrounding veteran Sgt. Patrick Stewart, whose memorial plaque at the cemetery carries the pentacle symbolizing the Wiccan religion. Stewart's widow, Roberta, lobbied the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have the pentacle religious symbol recognized. While the federal Veterans Affairs office has not approved the symbol yet, the state of Nevada has recognized the symbol and issued Stewart a memorial plaque in November.
Block estimates the damage totals $350. The damaged niche covers have been removed and replaced with empty covers. He said the new engraved marker has already been ordered and should arrive within a month. Velazquez said the damaged wall and walkway will be repaired when the temperature rises.
"It's a heck of a thing to do," Block said.
Block estimates the damage totals $350. The damaged niche covers have been removed and replaced with empty covers. He said the new engraved marker has already been ordered and should arrive within a month. Velazquez said the damaged wall and walkway will be repaired when the temperature rises.
"It's a heck of a thing to do," Block said.
