State worker pleads guilty in gun case

Wednesday, March 2, 2005 | 9:51 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- An employee of the state Transportation Department, who pulled a gun at a meeting two days after he was passed over for a promotion, Tuesday pleaded guilty in Reno to a gross misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

Washoe County District Judge Steven Elliott fined Bryan Patrick $1,000 and ordered him to pay $250 in attorney fees and a $25 administrative assessment.

Patrick, employed by the transportation department since 1990, was fired by the department after the incident but a state hearing officer ordered him reinstated in October 2004. The department has appealed the reinstatement to the district court in Reno.

Patrick has not returned to his job pending the outcome of the court appeal by the department.

Patrick was being considered for a promotion to a Technician IV position but he was told on April 28, 2004, he did not get the job.

At a required safety meeting at a Reno restaurant, Patrick pulled out a Ruger 9mm handgun and put it on the table. He told the people in attendance, "I just want to show you I'm OK with that (referring to the denial of the promotion.)"

He turned to his supervisor Larry Boge and said, "Larry, you might want to switch places with Shane so I can get a better shot. You can see this better."

Patrick said this was a joke. Other employees at the meeting said they did not feel threatened, but some said they felt "shock and apprehension."