Three people lost their lives and three more were wounded in a shooting outside the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, early Monday morning on July 28, 2025. Police shot and apprehended the gunman, who was left in critical condition after the violence began around 7:25 a.m.
The incident began in the resort’s valet area when an unidentified man approached a group and brandished a handgun. Initially, the firearm jammed, but the suspect managed to fire multiple rounds, hitting five individuals. One person died at the scene, and another succumbed to injuries at Renown Regional Medical Center.
After the shooting, the suspect ran north through the parking lot, carrying several magazines of ammunition. A Grand Sierra Resort security officer confronted him, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. As the gunman continued moving through the lot, he fatally shot a motorist passing by, who was pronounced dead on-site.
Reno police responded within a few minutes of the first 911 call. Officers located the suspect on the northwest side of the property, where he fired at an approaching police vehicle. Several officers returned fire, striking the suspect. He was taken into custody and transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
In total, six people were shot; three died, and the other three were injured. As of Monday afternoon, two of the wounded remained in critical condition at local hospitals, while the third had been treated and released. One officer suffered minor injuries, likely from glass shards during the confrontation.
According to Devon Reese, chair of the Northern Nevada Board of Health, three more people experienced minor injuries linked to the incident. One individual was grazed on the finger by a bullet, another sought treatment for acute anxiety, and a third was hurt while fleeing. All received care at the resort and did not require hospital transport.
At a Monday afternoon press conference, Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance stated that the rapid police response likely prevented even more injuries. Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth added there is no indication of any relationship between the suspect and the victims, and the motive is still under investigation.
The Sparks Police Department is heading the investigation, with support from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, following standard procedures for officer-involved shootings. Authorities are analyzing surveillance videos and interviewing witnesses to piece together the incident.
Some hotel guests witnessed the shooting from their rooms. Michael Sisco, 60, was about to go down to the valet when he heard shots and saw people fleeing in panic. He saw a man clutching his stomach before collapsing beside a car. Christina Martinez heard gunfire just as she was about to enter an elevator, and was told by another guest that a shooter was outside the main entrance.
While the Grand Sierra Resort continued operating after the shooting, its west parking lot was closed off for the investigation. The resort confirmed that none of its team members were harmed in the attack. Management expressed appreciation for their armed security team’s fast action and commended the Reno Police Department for their collaboration.
Mayor Hillary Schieve offered condolences to the families of the victims and praised the swift response by first responders. During a news briefing, she urged people to cherish their loved ones, saying, Life can be unpredictable—always tell your friends and family you love them.
Authorities identified the suspect as Dakota Hawver, 26, a resident of Reno.
The victims are Justin Aguila and Andrew Canepa, both 33 and from Southern California, and Angel Martinez.
Aguila and Canepa were with friends for a bachelor party and were shot from behind as they waited for transportation to the airport. According to CNN affiliate KRNV, both men were among 13 friends wrapping up a weekend trip; four of those injured in the valet area were part of the bachelor party.
Jeff Gorell, who sits on Ventura County’s board of supervisors in California, shared that Canepa co-owned the Side Street Cafe in Newbury Park, California.
On social media, Gorell described Andrew as a kind man, a dedicated business owner, and a loving father to his young son.
A GoFundMe for Canepa’s family highlighted his devotion to his six-year-old son and the happiness he brought to those around him.
Police said Martinez, a 66-year-old Reno resident, was shot multiple times while driving through the resort’s parking lot. A GoFundMe created by his niece noted that he was one of 11 siblings. According to the fundraiser, Martinez had a deep love of cooking, spending over three decades working in Reno’s restaurants and casinos. Above all, his family shared, he cherished his role as father and grandfather.
Investigators have not found any connection between the suspect and the victims.
This tragedy comes after a previous fatal shooting at the resort more than a year ago, when two men were charged with killing another guest in January 2024. The latest incident happened during Reno’s peak tourist season, as the city is a popular destination thanks to its proximity to Lake Tahoe and the California border.
The Grand Sierra Resort, once known as the MGM and later as Bally’s, is a 27-story landmark near Reno-Tahoe International Airport, featuring nearly 2,000 rooms and reportedly the largest casino floor in northern Nevada. The venue regularly hosts major events, from concerts and sports competitions to political gatherings.