Victims and Shooter Named in Reno Casino Shooting

Tragedy Unfolds at Reno Casino

A violent incident occurred outside the largest casino in Reno, Nevada, when a gunman opened fire, resulting in three fatalities and three injuries before being subdued by law enforcement. The incident took place on Monday, with officials confirming that the suspect was arrested following the shooting.

The victims include:

• Justin Aguila, a 33-year-old resident of Southern California.
• Andrew Canepa, also 33 and from Southern California.
• Angel Martinez, a 66-year-old Reno/Sparks resident.

According to police, Aguila and Canepa were in Reno for a bachelor party and were shot while waiting in the valet area for a ride to the airport. Martinez was killed when the suspect ambushed him inside his car as he was driving through the parking lot away from the building.

The suspect, identified as Dakota Hawver, a 26-year-old Reno resident, had no known connection to the victims. It remains unclear whether he was a guest or an employee at the Grand Sierra Resort, one of Reno’s most prominent venues. The resort has hosted concerts, sporting events, and a campaign rally by former President Donald Trump before the 2024 election. Located near the California border and just northeast of Lake Tahoe, Reno is a popular summer tourist destination.

Police are still investigating the motive behind the shooting. Two of the injured were in critical condition, while one was treated and released from the hospital. Police chief Chris Crawforth from Sparks, which is leading the investigation, confirmed that Hawver is also in critical condition.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. when the gunman approached the valet parking area of the casino-hotel, pulled out a handgun, and pointed it at a group of people. His gun initially malfunctioned, but he quickly managed to fire multiple times before fleeing on foot through the parking lot. He encountered an armed casino security guard, who returned fire after the shooter opened fire on them. Hawver later shot at someone driving by in the parking lot, killing the driver before officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of the first shots being fired.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve praised the swift actions taken by law enforcement, stating that it prevented the suspect from entering the casino-hotel to continue the rampage. According to Crawforth, Hawver had multiple firearm magazines and fired at Reno police officers, hitting a patrol vehicle. Multiple officers returned fire, striking the suspect.

Michael Sisco, a 60-year-old man, was in his room and about to head to the valet for his car when he heard popping sounds. He looked out his window and saw people screaming and running from the valet area. He witnessed a man holding his stomach and staggering before falling motionless next to a car. Sisco moved away from the window as the gunshots continued.

Christina Martinez, another witness, heard the shots just as she was stepping onto an elevator in the lobby. She described the chaos and the fear she felt, saying she had a panic attack because she realized she had been in the same area moments before.

Hours after the shooting, the entrance inside the casino leading to the valet area was roped off, and privacy screens were placed in front of the glass doors to block the view outside. In addition to the victims and those taken to the hospital, three more individuals were treated for minor injuries at the casino. One person was grazed by a bullet on their pinky finger, another was treated for severe anxiety, and one was injured while running, according to Devon Reese, chair of the Board of Health in northern Nevada.

One officer was injured from what was likely “glass fragments,” said Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance. “Tragedies like this are horrific for any community to endure,” she said.

More than a year ago, two men were charged with fatally shooting another man who was staying at the resort in January 2024. The Grand Sierra Resort claims to have the biggest casino floor in northern Nevada and is located just a few blocks from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. It is also one of the tallest buildings in the city, with nearly 2,000 hotel rooms.

“We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that occurred in our parking area earlier today,” the casino stated in a release. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident.”