FBI agent escapes injury when homicide suspect opens fire

By Brian Nordli, Riley Snyder

Published Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | 11:03 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, May 22, 2013 | 1:56 p.m.

A homicide suspect opened fire Tuesday as members of an FBI fugitive task force attempted to serve a warrant at an apartment complex near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway, authorities said.

Initial reports were that an FBI agent had been shot in his bullet-resistant vest and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

But FBI spokeswoman Bridget Pappas said Wednesday morning that it is unclear whether the agent was struck by a bullet, shrapnel or other debris and that no law enforcement agents were transported to the hospital. Nobody was injured, she said.

The incident took place Tuesday night at the Sonoma Shadows apartment complex in the 1700 block of Karen Avenue. Metro Police reported that the suspect, identified as Rene Dendaas, fired shots out of a window.

He was wanted by California authorities for a homicide in San Bernardino.

Dendaas barricaded himself inside an apartment but surrendered early Wednesday morning, authorities said. He was being held at the Clark County Detention Center and will have a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.