Bear Spray Assault Leads to Conviction

Thomas Shawn Woods received a conviction on one count of domestic battery stemming from an incident on September 9, 2025, outside a Sparks residence.

Sparks police were dispatched to the home after a reporting party said their female neighbor had been bear-sprayed outside the reporting party’s residence. When officers arrived, they found the woman lying on the sidewalk, being treated by medical personnel. While receiving medical care, the woman told officers that Woods, her ex-boyfriend, had sprayed her.

Police later spoke with two witnesses who stated they did not see the incident but provided surveillance video. Officers said the video appeared to corroborate the woman’s account that Woods sprayed her with bear spray.

After being stabilized, she told police the incident began after she left a casino and realized Woods was following her closely. She said that when she arrived at her home, Woods demanded his phone back, which she said she did not have.

The argument continued as she walked toward her home and ended when Woods allegedly sprayed her directly in the face with bear spray for approximately three to four seconds. Police made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Woods following the incident.

A warrant was issued, leading to his arrest on November 22, 2025. On December 4, 2025, Woods was found guilty of domestic battery.

A judge sentenced Woods to 60 days in the Washoe County Jail, suspended for one year, with conditions. He must serve two days in jail, complete 48 hours of community service, pay a $200 fine plus administrative assessments, pay a $35 domestic violence fee, complete 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling, have no contact with the victim, and obey all laws.