A gunman opened fire Monday outside the largest casino in Reno, Nevada, killing three people and wounding three others before police shot the suspect and arrested him, officials said.
The suspect had no known connection to the victims, and it was unclear if he was a guest or an employee at the Grand Sierra Resort, one of Reno’s most prominent venues that has hosted concerts, sporting events and a campaign rally by US President Donald Trump before the 2024 election. Near the California border and just northeast of Lake Tahoe, the town is a popular summer tourist destination.
Police were still trying to determine a motive for the shooting, says AP.
Two victims were in critical condition, while one was treated and released from the hospital, said Chris Crawforth, the police chief of the neighboring town of Sparks whose department is leading the investigation.
The shooting occurred around 7:30am when the gunman walked up to the casino-hotel’s valet parking area, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at a group of people, police said. His gun initially malfunctioned, but he quickly was able to get it to shoot multiple times before fleeing on foot through the parking lot where he encountered an armed casino security guard. Crawforth said the gunman opened fire on the guard, who returned fire as the shooter fled again.
The suspect later shot at someone driving by in the parking lot, striking and killing the driver before officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of the first shots being fired.
“There was incredible, swift action that took place,” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said, adding that it stopped the suspect from going into the casino-hotel to continue the rampage.
The shooter had multiple firearm magazines, according to Crawforth.
The suspect fired at Reno police officers and hit a patrol vehicle. Multiple officers returned fire, striking the suspect, Crawforth said. The suspect, whose name was not released, remains in critical condition.
Hours after the shooting, the entrance inside the casino leading to the valet area was roped off to guests and privacy screens were placed in front of the glass doors to block the view outside.
In addition to those who were killed and the people taken to the hospital, three more were treated for minor injuries at the casino, according to Devon Reese, chair of the Board of Health in northern Nevada. One person was grazed by a bullet on their pinky finger, one was treated for severe anxiety and one was injured while running, he said.
One officer also was injured from what was likely “glass fragments,” Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance said.
“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 claims to have the biggest casino floor in northern Nevada and sits 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 said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident.”