Three killed in mass shooting at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort
Gunman opens fire in valet area before being shot by police; no known connection to victims
A gunman killed three people and wounded three others Monday morning in a mass shooting outside the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, sending guests scrambling for safety as gunfire erupted in the valet parking area of the popular resort.
The shooting began at approximately 7:25 a.m. when the suspect, an adult male who has not been publicly identified, approached the valet area with a handgun. Police said he had been seen pacing the parking lot for about 45 minutes before the attack.
Gun malfunction may have prevented worse carnage
According to Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth, whose department is leading the investigation, the gunman initially pointed his weapon at a group of innocent bystanders, but the gun malfunctioned. Once he got the weapon operational, he opened fire on multiple victims.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe there’s a connection between any of the victims and the suspect, and we have no known motive,” Crawforth said at an afternoon press conference.
The shooter was carrying multiple firearm magazines at the time of the attack, suggesting he may have been prepared for an extended rampage.
Rapid police response
Reno police officers arrived at the scene within 2½ minutes of receiving the first 911 calls. The gunman fled on foot through the parking lot after the initial shooting, where he encountered an armed casino security guard and exchanged fire.
During his flight, the suspect fatally shot a driver passing through the parking lot before police confronted him. Officers shot the suspect, who was taken to a hospital in critical condition and remains in custody.
One police officer sustained minor injuries, believed to be from glass fragments when the gunman fired at a patrol car. No officers were shot in the incident.
Victims and casualties
In total, six people were shot during the rampage:
- Three people killed (two died at the scene, one at the hospital)
- Two victims remain in critical condition
- One victim was treated and released from the hospital
Additionally, three people suffered minor injuries not from gunfire: one was grazed by a bullet on their pinky finger, another was treated for severe anxiety, and a third was injured while running from the scene.
Witness accounts
Hotel guests described scenes of terror as gunfire erupted outside the resort. Michael Sisco, 60, was preparing to head to the valet area when he heard popping sounds from his room.
“I looked out my window and saw people screaming and running from the valet area,” Sisco said. He witnessed a man holding his stomach, staggering before falling motionless next to a car. “A half-hour after the incident, I started shaking because I realized I could’ve been there. That’s exactly where I was going.”
Christina Martinez had just stepped into an elevator in the lobby when the shooting began. “I feel very blessed, but that’s kind of why I had a panic attack,” she said. “I was like, oh my God. I was just there.”
Resort remains operational
The Grand Sierra Resort, which claims to have the largest casino floor in northern Nevada, issued a statement condemning the “senseless violence” and thanking first responders.
“We are incredibly grateful for the swift and courageous response by our armed security team, whose immediate actions helped prevent further harm,” the resort said. “We also want to thank the Reno Police Department for their rapid assistance and coordination, which was instrumental in quickly eliminating the threat and protecting lives.”
The resort confirmed that none of its employees were injured and that the property remains fully operational. Staff are working to support guests and team members affected by the incident.
Community response
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve expressed her condolences to the victims and praised first responders. “My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by the tragic shooting incident,” Schieve said. “While it is very early in the investigation and details are scarce, I want to thank our region’s first responders and medical personnel for their courage and heroic efforts today.”
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo confirmed that the Nevada Department of Public Safety is assisting local authorities with the investigation.
City Councilman Devon Reese called attention to the broader issue of gun violence, posting on social media: “My heart breaks for the victims, their families, and our entire community. Reno is strong — but we are not immune to the epidemic of gun violence gripping this nation.”
Previous incidents
This is not the first violent incident at the Grand Sierra Resort. In January 2024, two men were charged with fatally shooting another man who was staying at the resort.
The Grand Sierra Resort is one of Reno’s most prominent venues, hosting concerts, sporting events, and political rallies, including a campaign event for Donald Trump before the 2024 election. Located near the California border and northeast of Lake Tahoe, it sits just blocks from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and features nearly 2,000 hotel rooms in one of the city’s tallest buildings.
The investigation into Monday’s shooting continues as authorities work to determine what motivated the attack.
Image Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/28/shooting-casino-reno-nevada
Category: State News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 07/29/2025
