SoCal Residents Among Victims in Reno Mass Shooting During Bachelor Party

Victims of Reno Casino Shooting Include Southern California Residents

Several victims of a mass shooting at a Reno casino this week were residents of Southern California who had traveled to the area for a friend’s bachelor party. The incident, which occurred on Monday, began just after 7:30 a.m. when a gunman was reported to have entered the valet area of the Grand Sierra Resort from a nearby parking lot.

According to police in Sparks, Nevada, the shooter was identified as Dakota Hawver, a 26-year-old Reno resident. He is currently in critical condition after being shot by a hotel security guard. Police stated that Hawver has no criminal or mental health history and had legally purchased a 9-millimeter handgun two years prior to the attack.

The shooting started when Hawver approached a group of people from Thousand Oaks, California. The group, who were friends of the victims, had been visiting the area for the bachelor party. Initially, the gun malfunctioned, causing the group to scatter. However, the shooter managed to get the weapon working again and began firing.

Among the casualties was Andrew Canepa, a 33-year-old man who died from multiple gunshot wounds. Canepa, who was the father of a young son, was an owner and server at the Side Street Cafe in Newbury Park, a well-known breakfast and lunch spot. Another victim, Justin Agulia, also 33, was killed during the attack. Agulia, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union since 2018, had recently become engaged to his longtime girlfriend.

Dylan McLean, another member of the group from Thousand Oaks, was shot in the shoulder and managed to escape in a nearby truck. During the ride to the hospital, he called Matt Sitler, a friend who had been seriously injured and was hiding from the gunman. Sitler, also from Thousand Oaks, was hospitalized in critical condition and placed on life support. After undergoing surgery to remove his spleen, he was able to breathe on his own. His first question after the attack was, “Is Andrew OK?”

The victims all graduated from Thousand Oaks High in 2010 and had played high school sports together. They had stayed at an Airbnb near Lake Tahoe before spending Sunday night at the casino to be closer to the Reno airport. On Monday, they checked out of their hotel and were waiting at the valet station for rides to the airport when the shooting occurred.

During the chaos, a casino security guard intervened and shot at Hawver, forcing him to flee. As he ran, he encountered a vehicle in the parking lot and opened fire, killing the driver. Police identified the driver as Angel Martinez, a 66-year-old resident of Reno.

Martinez’s family shared their grief online, seeking help through a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs. Martinez, who had a lifelong passion for cooking, worked in restaurants and casinos for over three decades.

Authorities have not found any connection between Hawver and the victims. Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth stated at a news conference that there was no known motive for the attack.

The Grand Sierra Resort, one of Reno’s largest hotel and casino complexes, remained open and operational following the incident. The 27-story building features nearly 2,000 rooms, along with casinos, spas, and dining options. It has previously operated under different names, including MGM and Bally's.

Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance expressed the community’s deep sorrow over the tragedy. She emphasized that violence in public spaces is unacceptable and condemned the attack.

The event has left a lasting impact on the families, friends, and communities of the victims, highlighting the need for continued efforts to prevent such incidents in the future.