Suspected gunman who killed 3 outside Reno casino has died; motive remains unknown
The suspected gunman who fatally shot three people and wounded three others at the largest casino in Reno, Nevada, has died, police announced July 31.
Dakota Hawver, a 26-year-old Reno resident, was pronounced dead overnight, the Sparks Police Department said in a news release. Hawver had been hospitalized in critical condition after exchanging gunfire with security and responding police officers at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in downtown Reno on July 28.
Two of the victims killed in the shooting were visiting from Southern California for a bachelor party, while the third victim was a local resident who had been driving through the casino's parking lot when he was ambushed by the suspect, police said. Two of the three victims injured remained hospitalized but were expected to make a full recovery.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had fired about 80 rounds using multiple magazines and a 9mm handgun that he legally purchased two years ago, according to police. He had purchased the ammunition recently, police added.
The suspect has no criminal record and no history of mental health issues, police said.
"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.
The Grand Sierra Resort is the "largest casino north of Las Vegas," according to the tourism website for Reno and nearby Lake Tahoe. The city of Reno, located near the California-Nevada state border, is a popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to Lake Tahoe and other outdoor activities.
What happened in the Grand Sierra Resort shooting?
The victims killed in the shooting were identified as Justin Aguila, 33; Andrew Canepa, 33; and Angel Martinez, 66, according to police.
The Reno Police Department along with other emergency agencies responded to a report of an active shooter at about 7:25 a.m. local time on July 28 at the Grand Sierra Resort, police said. Responding officers arrived at the scene within minutes and located the suspect in the parking lot.
The suspect then exchanged gunfire with officers and was critically wounded, according to police. First responders and medical personnel from the casino treated the victims and the suspect at the scene before several victims were transported to local hospitals.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local area hospital, police said. Two of the victims died at the scene and the third one was declared dead at the hospital.
In an update on July 29, police said Aguila and Canepa were visiting Reno for a bachelor party with several friends when they were both shot from behind while waiting in the valet area for a ride to the airport.
Martinez had been driving through the casino's parking lot away from the building when he was ambushed by the suspect, who had been hiding behind another vehicle, according to police. He was shot several times.
"I want to express with my deepest condolences to the victims and their families, as well as our entire community. Tragedies like this are horrific for any community to endure, not just for the victims, the first responders, and people who were there, but everyone who calls our community home," Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance said in a statement.