An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Sept. 7, 2011

Nevada National Guard members killed, injured in shooting

By Nevada National Guard report

ARLINGTON, Va. - Three Nevada National Guard members have died and two are currently injured as a result of a random shooting at a local eatery Sept. 5 in Carson City, Nev.

Army Maj. Heath Kelly, Army Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney and Army Sgt. 1st Class Christian Riege died of wounds suffered during an apparent random shooting by a gunman who later killed himself.

Burks spoke of each Guard members who died.

“Major Heath Kelly was a decorated field artillery officer, husband and father who was the commander of the Joint Force Headquarters here in Carson City,” he said. “He served with the active duty Army’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company of 3rd Corps in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Heath was an avid student of military history and was known for his dry sense of humor.”

“Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney was a fast riser in our enlisted corps,” Burks said. “With military occupational specialties in medical, dental and human resources fields, she served Soldiers in several units for more than 13 years, always with a smile on her face.

“She also owned a small baking company and was famous in our headquarters for providing cupcakes for every promotion and celebration.”

“Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege was a Carson City resident who earned his combat spurs with the 1st of the 221st Cavalry in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010,” he said. “A 38-year-old father of three and a fitness buff, he also served in the U.S. Navy for two years before coming to the Guard.

“The tapestry of peoples’ rich lives is difficult to sum up in a few words, but their actions and our memories of them remain in our hearts.”

Burks said there are chaplains, grief counselors, and other resources assisting the families and loved ones of those injured and killed, and for Guard members affected by this tragedy as well.

 

 

Related Articles
Lt. Col. Zachery Powell cuts the ribbon at the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Medical ribbon cutting ceremony April 17, 2025, at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, to mark the opening of a new Medical Training Facility. The building, which provides laboratories, exam rooms, administrative areas, classrooms, record storage, and mobility-training storage for the 124th Fighter Wing’s 124th Medical Group, was completed in March 2025.
Idaho Air National Guard Opens Medical Training Facility
By Staff Sgt. Jadyn Eisenbrandt  | April 18, 2025
GOWEN FIELD, Idaho —The Idaho Air National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday to mark the opening of a new Medical Training Facility on Gowen Field for the 124th Fighter Wing.The building, which provides...

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Steven Lucas, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter standardization instructor with F Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, performs rescue hoist operations aboard a Black Hawk in collaboration with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9, 2025. MD-HART is made up of firefighters who routinely train with the Maryland Army Guard in preparation for response efforts during the hurricane season, tropical storms, and other emergency situations.
Maryland National Guard conducts rescue hoist training with Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team
By Staff Sgt. Amber Peck, | April 18, 2025
EDGEWOOD, Md. — Soldiers with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard conducted rescue hoist training with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9...

Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are honored during a deployment ceremony at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, April 13, 2025. Approximately 700 Soldiers are deploying in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, where they will provide security and support operations.
La. Guard’s ‘Tiger Brigade’ holds deployment ceremony for overseas mission
By Louisiana National Guard | April 18, 2025
PINEVILLE, La. - About 700 Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known as the “Tiger Brigade,” were honored last week during a deployment ceremony.The Guardsmen are deploying to...