Man Arrested After Waving Gun Outside Business

Tom Darby

SPARKS, Nev. (Dec. 19, 2025) — Sparks police arrested a man Friday morning after reports that an armed individual was acting erratically outside a business on Greg Street.

Officers were called to Greg Street around 11:15 a.m. on Dec. 19 after witnesses reported a man waving a gun in the air. When officers arrived, employees told police the suspect had pointed a handgun at several people and attempted to force his way into a locked business.

The suspect is John Patrick Lopes. Police found him sitting in a nearby vehicle and took him into custody without incident. Officers recovered a black handgun, which was later determined to be a pneumatic revolver, according to the Sparks Police Department.

Lopes was transported to the Washoe County Jail and booked on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of ex-felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of resisting a public officer.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact the Sparks Police Department at 775-353-2231. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Secret Witness by calling or texting 775-322-4900 or by visiting secretwitness.org.