RENO, Nevada, July 28 – A tragic shooting shattered the calm of Monday morning outside the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, where a gunman opened fire near the casino’s valet area, leaving three victims dead and two others critically wounded. The assailant, who exchanged gunfire with authorities, was also seriously injured and remains in critical condition.
The violent incident occurred just before 7:30 a.m. local time in the resort’s parking area, a space typically filled with guests arriving for business or leisure. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect, described only as an adult male, appeared to act alone and targeted victims at random. No connection between the victims and the shooter has been established at this stage of the investigation.
Authorities from the city of Sparks, located adjacent to Reno, are leading the investigation in collaboration with the Reno Police Department. At an afternoon briefing, Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth detailed the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
According to Crawforth, surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts indicate that the suspect was walking through the casino’s parking lot when he approached the valet station. Without warning, he brandished a pistol and pointed it toward a group of people. Initially, his weapon jammed, but after managing to get it operational, he began firing indiscriminately.
Gunfire near the valet area left five people wounded. Amid the confusion, an armed security guard from the casino engaged the suspect in a brief exchange of gunfire. The suspect then retreated across the lot and encountered a sixth victim, who was simply driving through the premises. That individual was also shot before officers arrived on the scene.
Reno police officers responded swiftly to emergency calls and confronted the gunman in the lot. A shootout followed, during which officers were able to subdue the suspect, who was critically injured during the exchange. Law enforcement confirmed that the gunman was transported to a local medical facility where he remains under supervision in critical condition.
Of the six people struck during the shooting, three tragically lost their lives. Two victims near the valet area succumbed to their injuries on site, while the motorist shot while passing through the lot also died. The remaining two individuals injured near the valet were transported to a hospital and are listed in critical condition.
The names of the victims remain undisclosed as officials wait to notify their families. Their ages and backgrounds were also not made public, though officials emphasized the randomness of the attack and reiterated that the victims appeared to have no prior relationship with the suspect.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the suspect’s background, digital footprint, and any possible mental health history. As of now, there is no indication of any broader threat to the public.
Police Chief Crawforth stated that the quick actions of Reno police officers, along with the intervention of the casino’s armed security guard, likely stopped the situation from becoming even more deadly. “This could have been much worse,” Crawforth said. “The quick action of everyone involved was critical in stopping the suspect and bringing the situation under control.”
Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance also addressed the media and confirmed that one of her officers sustained a minor injury during the confrontation. The officer was treated for what is believed to be minor abrasions caused by shattered glass, but has since been released from medical care.
Guests at the Grand Sierra Resort were temporarily placed on lockdown during the morning hours as police secured the area and conducted a preliminary investigation. By the afternoon, the scene had been stabilized, though large portions of the parking area remained cordoned off as detectives and forensic teams gathered evidence.
The Grand Sierra Resort, a major entertainment and hospitality venue in Reno, features a hotel tower, casino, restaurants, and event space. Monday’s incident marks one of the most violent episodes in the city’s recent history and has sent shockwaves through the community.
Local officials, including representatives from the mayor’s office and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department, expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to support the ongoing investigation. Counseling services are being made available to resort employees and guests who may have witnessed the violence or been affected by the events.
Residents are encouraged to remain calm as the investigation continues. Investigators are urging anyone who may have video evidence or relevant details about the incident to share that information with authorities. Community tip lines have been set up to facilitate anonymous reporting.