RENO, NV – A Nevada man is in custody following a brutal incident that left his mother nearly decapitated and her friend seriously injured, authorities said. Carson Gonzales, 20, faces charges after the violent assault on Saturday inside a home in northwest Reno turned deadly.
The horrific sequence began when Gonzales allegedly initiated a violent altercation with his mother, 52-year-old Carla Gonzales, and her friend, 46-year-old Angela Clay. The attack reportedly spiraled from a verbal confrontation with his mother, according to court documents.
Police in Reno arrived at the scene around 6:30 p.m. following a series of 911 calls concerning a domestic disturbance. On arrival, they encountered Carson Gonzales leaving the garage, allegedly covered in blood, wearing just a tank top and socks.
Inside the home, officers found Carla Gonzales deceased with significant neck injuries. Meanwhile, Clay was discovered outside, suffering severe wounds but still alive. She was rushed to a Reno area hospital in critical condition, the documents revealed.
Authorities took Carson Gonzales to a local station for questioning, during which he displayed disturbing behavior. He reportedly acknowledged the severity of his actions during a phone call with his half-brother, which police overheard. “I do understand,” Gonzales said. “It’s f—ing horrible.”
The interview also took a bizarre turn when Gonzales made erratic comments about the former U.S. President, suggesting a level of disorientation. Despite his claims of self-defense, as he allegedly told officers, “They were attacking me,” his accounts remained inconsistent.
Carson Gonzales allegedly expressed disbelief at his actions, reportedly questioning the reality of his mother’s death and claiming he could revive her. Detectives struggled to elicit a coherent recounting of the incident from him.
During the phone conversation with his half-brother, Gonzales expressed regret, suggesting he should have de-escalated the confrontation. “Yep, that’s exactly what I should’ve done,” he reportedly said, acknowledging the gravity of the situation with expletive-laden remorse.
A judge ordered Carson Gonzales to be held without bail on charges of open murder with a deadly weapon and battery with the use of a deadly weapon. This case highlights the escalating nature of domestic disputes and the tragic consequences they can entail.