Bear shot and killed in Incline

Officials shot and killed a 600-pound bear in Incline Village after it broke into a home and reportedly threatened a family.

Washoe County Capt. Steve Kelly said a homeowner called the sheriff’s office at about 5:30 a.m., saying a bear was in the house. Kelly said the family locked itself in a master bedroom until an officer arrived.

When a sergeant arrived, Kelly said the bear charged at him, forcing the sergeant to shoot in self defense.

“The sergeant fired once with a shotgun, but unfortunately, it only grazed (the bear),” Kelly said.

Kelly said the bear fled, and after a search, it was found under a deck at in a nearby home.

Law enforcement called the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and the bear was flushed from under the deck and killed.

Kelly estimated the bear to weigh at least 600 pounds, but was reluctant to estimate the weight of the sergeant who fired a shotgun at close range and all but missed so large an animal.