Suspect in Nevada casino shooting had no known connection to victims, police say
RENO, NV — The suspected gunman who opened fire at a casino in Reno, Nevada, killing three people and injuring three others, was identified as a local resident with no known connections to the casino or any of the victims, police said July 29.
Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth said the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, walked through the Grand Sierra Resort's parking lot toward the valet area and fired multiple times at a group of people on July 28. He struck five people before fleeing from the scene, police said.
Hawver was confronted by a security guard and exchanged fire with him, then fired at a driver in the parking lot and killed the person, according to Crawforth. Responding officers arrived at the scene within minutes after receiving an emergency call at around 7:25 a.m. local time and exchanged fire with the suspect, disabling him, police said.
Two of the victims died at the scene and the third one was declared dead at a local hospital, according to police. As of July 29, two of the three victims injured remained hospitalized but were expected to make a full recovery, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Hawver, who is currently in critical condition at the hospital, was armed with a handgun and fired about 80 rounds with multiple magazines, police said. Police added that the suspect had no criminal or mental health history.
"Investigators have not found any connections to the Grand Sierra Resort or any of the victims, and his motive is unknown, at this time," police said in a news release on July 29.
The Sparks Police Department said its investigators and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office have done multiple interviews and reviewed evidence from the scene.
Victims killed in Reno casino shooting identified
The victims killed in the shooting were identified as Angel M. Martinez, 66, of Sparks, Nevada; Justin Agulia, 33, of Chatsworth, California; and Andrew Canepa, 33, of Newbury Park, California.
The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed in a news release on July 30 that the victims died of multiple gunshot wounds in a homicide.
Angel Martinez ambushed in parking lot
According to police, Martinez was driving through the parking lot away from the casino when he was ambushed by the suspect, who had been hiding behind another car. Police said Martinez was shot at several times and was declared dead on the scene.
His niece posted on a GoFundMe page that Martinez spent decades working in restaurants and casinos in Reno. He was not an employee at the Grand Sierra Resort.
“Our uncle came from a large loving family, one of eleven siblings,” Becka Gonzalez wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He had a lifelong love of cooking, just like many of his brothers, and spent more than three decades working in restaurants and casinos throughout Reno, Nevada.
“His greatest joy was being a father and grandfather. His son, Michael, and grandson were his heart.”
Two victims in Reno for bachelor party
Canepa was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where he died during emergency surgery. Agulia was declared dead at the casino's valet area.
Aguila and Canepa were in town for a bachelor party with several friends, police said. They were shot from behind while waiting in the valet area for a ride to the airport.
The Ventura County Star, part of the Paste BN Network, reported that the group of 13 in the bachelor party had split into two groups to head to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Six of the men were standing in the valet area waiting for an Uber before the shooting occurred, The Star reported. Two others in the group were injured.
A GoFundMe was created for Canepa's 6-year-old son. According to the page's description, Canepa was on his way home from Reno to pick up his son. A GoFundMe was also created for Agulia's fiancée and his family.
“Justin was so much to so many — an incredible fiancée, a loving son and brother, and a truly loyal friend,” the page states. “He had the kindest heart, a vibrant spirit, and a way of making everyone feel welcome, seen, and loved. His laughter, generosity, and authenticity will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”