Officers have announced the death of the shooter responsible for killing three individuals outside a casino in Reno.
In the early hours of Monday, July 29, 2025, a shocking incident unfolded at the Grand Sierra Resort casino in Reno, Nevada. The gunman, identified as 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, a local resident, took the lives of three individuals and injured three others before his own life ended in a confrontation with police and security[1][3][4].
The motive behind Hawver's actions remains a mystery, with authorities yet to confirm a clear reason for the tragedy[3]. Reports from Hawver's ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child, describe a history of aggressive, narcissistic, and troubling behavior. However, these descriptions do not provide a definitive motive for the shooting[2][5].
The first casualty of the shooting was Angel Martinez, a Reno resident, who was shot as he drove through the parking lot. Two other victims, Justin Aguila and Andrew Canepa, both from Southern California, were fatally shot while waiting in the valet area for a ride to the airport[1][6]. The third victim was a 66-year-old local resident[7].
At the time of the shooting, Hawver was hiding behind a parked vehicle. The two individuals who were wounded are currently hospitalized but are expected to make a full recovery[2]. The shootout with police resulted in the arrest of the suspect and his subsequent death during the overnight hours[1][4].
It's important to note that the Meruelo Group, a business entity, has not been directly linked to the incident[8]. The shooting took place at a commercial casino in Reno-Sparks, Nevada[1].
As the investigation continues, the community and the nation await more information about the tragic events that took place at the Grand Sierra Resort casino. The focus remains on the lives lost and the healing process for those affected by this senseless act of violence.
[1] Reno Gazette Journal [2] KOLO 8 News Now [3] Associated Press [4] Las Vegas Review-Journal [5] NBC News [6] CNN [7] ABC News [8] CNBC
The tragic events that transpired at the casino-and-gambling venue, the Grand Sierra Resort in Las-vegas-suburb-Reno, Nevada, on Monday, July 29, 2025, have left the community grappling with crime-and-justice issues. Despite the police and security confrontation and the subsequent arrest of the shooter, 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, the motive behind his actions remains a general-news mystery to authorities.
