At the least three folks have been killed and three others have been injured by a gunman on the Grand Sierra Resort on line casino in Reno, Nevada, on Monday, authorities mentioned.
Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance and Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth have been amongst plenty of officers who held a day press convention to offer an replace on the taking pictures, which occurred shortly earlier than 7:30 a.m.
The suspect’s gun malfunctioned when he initially tried to shoot at a gaggle of harmless bystanders within the valet space of the property, however as soon as he was ready “to make it operable,” he fired a number of photographs on the victims, Crawforth mentioned.
5 folks have been initially shot, Crawforth mentioned. One of many victims died on the scene and the remainder have been taken to an space hospital, the place one other particular person died. Two of the opposite three victims remained in vital situation, whereas the fifth sufferer has since been launched from therapy.
After that taking pictures, Crawforth mentioned the suspect continued north by means of the car parking zone and opened fireplace on a on line casino safety guard who confronted him. The safety guard returned fireplace, forcing the suspect to proceed shifting north by means of the car parking zone.
Crawforth mentioned the suspect then shot a sixth sufferer who was driving by means of the car parking zone. That sufferer was declared lifeless on the scene.
Chief Nance mentioned officers shortly responded and situated the suspect on the northwest aspect of the property. Each events exchanged gunfire as soon as the suspect confronted the officers with a gun.
The suspect was struck by gunfire and stays hospitalized in vital situation. As of Tuesday night time, authorities recognized him as 26-year-old Dakota Hawver of Reno and say he stays in vital situation.
Hawver was armed with a 9mm handgun and a number of magazines, firing roughly 80 photographs, Sparks police mentioned. Investigators mentioned Hawver legally bought the gun round two years in the past however not too long ago bought the ammunition.
Sparks police mentioned Hawver didn’t have a previous felony historical past or any psychological well being historical past.
At the least one officer suffered minor accidents, seemingly from glass fragments, Nance mentioned. At the least one patrol automotive was hit by bullets.
Although the resort is situated within the metropolis of Reno, Nance mentioned Sparks police can be main the investigation because of her division’s coverage on officer-involved shootings.
Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Corell recognized one of many victims killed within the taking pictures as Andrew Canepa, a co-owner of a restaurant in Newbury Park.
“Andrew was a sort soul, a devoted enterprise proprietor, and a loving father to his younger son. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household, mates, and the Aspect Road Café neighborhood throughout this extremely tough time,” Corell wrote.
Sparks police later recognized the opposite two folks killed as 23-year-old Justin Aguila, a Southern California resident, and 66-year-old Angel Martinez, a resident of the Reno-Sparks space.
Authorities haven’t launched the identities of some other victims.
Crawforth mentioned there isn’t any identified connection between Hawver and the victims.
“My coronary heart breaks for the victims, their households, and our complete neighborhood. Reno is powerful — however we’re not proof against the epidemic of gun violence gripping this nation,” mentioned Devon Reese, a Reno metropolis councilmember, in a social media publish.
In a press release, Grand Sierra Resort officers thanked their safety group and first responders for the short response to the incident. In addition they confirmed that none of their staff have been damage.
“We’re heartbroken by the mindless violence that occurred in our parking space earlier immediately. Our ideas are with the victims and all these affected by this tragic incident,” Grand Sierra Resort acknowledged.
