Reno Police Drone Helps Arrest Knife-Threat Suspect

Officers detained 39-year-old Reed Szymanski after a downtown Reno knife threat, aided by a drone that tracked him nearby.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a dark drone silhouette hovering above a grid of low rooftops in navy and cream. — Reno police used an aerial drone to help locate and detain a 39-year-old man accused of threatening people with a knife downtown on October 27. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Reno Police Department officers detained and arrested 39-year-old Reed Szymanski for allegedly threatening people with a knife downtown on October 27. An officer operating a RAPTOR drone located a person matching the suspect's description minutes after the initial 911 call, approximately one and a half blocks from the incident.

Why it matters

The arrest shows how the department's Drone as a First Responder program can quickly locate a suspect and guide officers to him during an active threat. It also reflects the department's use of aerial tools to respond to incidents in downtown Reno.

Officers detained Reed Szymanski and recovered a knife during the encounter, and he was arrested for allegedly threatening people in downtown Reno. The source does not specify formal charges or upcoming court dates.

The players

Reno Police Department

The municipal law enforcement agency serving Reno, Nevada, which operates the Drone as a First Responder program used in this arrest.

Reed Szymanski

The 39-year-old man detained and arrested by Reno police in connection with the downtown knife threat.

The details

Officers responded to a report of a person threatening someone with a knife downtown on October 27. An officer operating a RAPTOR drone maintained visual contact with a man matching the suspect's description and guided ground officers to his location, where they detained him and recovered a knife.

October 27, 2026: Knife threat reported downtown and officers respond to a 911 call.
Last week: Suspect arrested for allegedly threatening people downtown.

Legal Context

The arrest is a concrete application of the Reno Police Department's Drone as a First Responder program, which was used here to locate a suspect within minutes of a 911 call. The case shows how the program is being applied to active downtown incidents involving weapons.

Downtown Reno residents and visitors may see drone-assisted police responses during active threats. The program allows officers to locate suspects quickly while keeping ground units guided toward the right location.

The takeaway

Drone-assisted tracking can help officers reach a suspect faster during a fast-moving downtown incident. Residents who witness a threat should call 911 promptly so units can be dispatched while the situation is still active.