NOVEMBER 12 - 4:30 P.M.:
A suspect accused of severely beating a man at the Veterans Memorial at the Sparks Marina pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on Wednesday.
Michael Paulsen is suspected of attacking 65-year-old Michael Hess and hitting him in the head with a rock on November 3rd.
Hess was hospitalized and died from his injuries days later.
Paulsen was given a no bail hold and is being sent to the District Court for competency proceedings.
NOVEMBER 7 - 1:00 P.M.
In an arraignment and bail hearing that was held on Zoom, Michael Paulson, the defendant, was not present.
The hearing was rescheduled for November 12 due to the request of everybody involved in the case.
NOVEMBER 7 - 8:50 A.M.
A man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the recent attack of a Veterans Memorial Plaza volunteer.
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that 34-year-old Michael Paulsen has been charged with Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon Committed Against an Elderly Person in the attack on 65-year-old Michael Hess at the Veterans Memorial at the Sparks Marina on November 3.
Surveillance video shows Paulsen attacking Hess by kicking him and repeatedly striking him in the head with a rock. Hess was taken to the hospital and later died from his injuries.
DA Hicks stated, “My office is committed to seeking justice for Mr. Hess and to holding the defendant fully accountable under the law. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Hess’s family and loved ones during this difficult time, and we will continue to work closely with the Sparks Police Department to ensure this case is handled with the care and diligence it deserves.”
NOVEMBER 6 UPDATE:
A volunteer who was violently attacked at the Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Sparks Marina on Monday has died from his injuries.
Michael Hess died from his injuries on Thursday evening, according to a release from Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza.
34-year-old Michael Paulsen was arrested after allegedly attacking Hess with a rock.
Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza offered its heartfelt condolences and prayers to Hess' family and friends, as well as the team he worked with at the organization and the volunteer community as a whole.
"We have experienced the profound loss of a truly remarkable individual within our northern Nevada community," said the organization in its statement.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist the family through these difficult times. Anyone who wants to contribute can do so at this link.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
A 34-year-old man faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly nearly beat another man to death at the Veterans Memorial at the Sparks Marina on Monday.
Police say they initially responded to a fight with the suspect, Michael Paulsen, hitting 65-year-old Michael Hess with a rock.
Police say Hess, a memorial volunteer, was cleaning up the area against the wall of the memorial when Paulsen yelled at him, then pushed Hess to the ground and kicked him several times. And that's when police say Paulsen grabbed a rock and hit Hess in the head.
Witnesses confronted Paulsen until police arrived.
Police say Hess suffered multiple skull fractures and is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.
Paulsen was booked into the Washoe County Jail for Attempted Murder with a deadly weapon upon a vulnerable person.
If you have any information that can help authorities, contact the Sparks Police Detective Division at (775) 353-2225 or contact Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900. Your information will remain anonymous.
