Despite law enforcement having Wilbur Martinez-Guzman in custody, the man suspected of killing four people in Reno and Douglas County, they say you should still be protecting yourself and your neighbors.
Many of the homes near La Guardia Lane in south Reno are on private driveways, tucked back into the community, out of sight and out of mind.But when the bodies of Jerry and Sherri David were found in their home, which is similarly off the beaten path, it raised the eyebrows of nearby neighbors.
“We always thought we lived in one of the safest neighborhoods, rural neighborhood in Reno and it's made us real cautious,” says Abbi Whitaker.
Abbi Whitaker, who lives just a few doors down from the David home, admits that before these heinous crimes took place, she felt too comfortable about leaving her home less secure than she should.
“We pretty much took our safety for granted, especially in this neighborhood and I can guarantee you that isn't going to happen anymore,” says Whitaker.
Moving forward, she says she will be better at watching her surroundings, locking her doors and leaving outdoor lights on. In fact, she's even taking an extra layer of security into her own hands that she never thought she would.
“This has made me think a little differently and I want to know how to do it safely,” says Whitaker. “So, I did find myself at a gun range on Saturday night and that was a little outside my comfort zone but you know what, I feel a little more confident now."
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office just asks that residents don't get complacent. Despite them having Martinez-Guzman behind bars, who they firmly believe to be responsible for four recent killings, they say other crime is still out there, and you should always want to stop it before it happens.
“Keeping an eye on your neighborhood, making sure your vehicles and homes are secure, those are the kinds of steps that you can take to help prevent crime and hopefully not have it happen in the first place,” says Bob Harmon with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
At this point in the homicide investigation, the WCSO believes there are no other outstanding suspects at this time.
