UPDATE: Reno Casino Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, 3 Others Injured

UPDATE: A shooting outside the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno on Monday morning has left three people dead and at three wounded.

The suspected gunman was shot by a responding police officer and taken to a hospital in critical condition.

According to the Sparks Police Department, which is leading the investigation, the shooting occurred in near the valet in front of the casino, where the suspect produced a handgun and pointed it, but the firearm malfunctioned.

The suspect then fixed his gun and fired it multiple times into a group of people. One died at the scene. Four others were rushed to a hospital, where another died. One of those victims has since been released.

The gunman then traded fire with a casino security guard in the parking lot, then fired into a car driving through the parking lot, killing the driver. Finally, he fired at a Reno police car before the officer shot and wounded him.

No motive for the attack has been disclosed so far. Police don’t believe the attacker knew his victims.

Police believe the gunman intended to enter the casino.

“We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that occurred in our parking area earlier today,” officials from the Grand Sierra Resort said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident.

“We are incredibly grateful for the swift and courageous response by our armed security team, whose immediate actions helped prevent further harm,” the statement continued. “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 casino says it remains open and is “actively working to support” any guests and team members impacted by the shooting.


EARLIER: Gunfire erupted outside the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno on Monday morning, according to a local report. Several people were injured, including the suspect, who was taken into custody.

The Grand Sierra Resort opened in May 1978 as the MGM Grand Reno, modeled after its namesake in Las Vegas (today’s Horseshoe). It is currently owned and operated by the Meruelo Group, which purchased the 145-acre property for $42 million in April 2011. (Image: Shutterstock)

The shooting began at 7:25 am Monday, according to KTVN-TV/Reno. Reno police, Washoe County sheriff’s deputies, Nevada State Police, and Reno Fire all responded to the first report of an active shooter in the property’s valet area.

When Reno police arrived, they exchanged gunfire with the suspect, described only as an adult male. After being taken into custody, he was transported to an area hospital with undisclosed injuries.

No exact victim count has been released, since some reportedly drove themselves to medical facilities.

The Grand Sierra, which sits a few blocks from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, claims to have the biggest casino floor in northern Nevada. It has 80,000 square feet of gaming space.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Corey Levitan joined Casino.org in 2022 after a long career covering Las Vegas. He currently covers entertainment, dining and gaming news in Las Vegas.

Corey spent six years covering the Vegas Strip for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he also wrote the most popular humor column in the city’s history. (For “Fear and Loafing,” he tried out 176 Vegas jobs, including poker player, blackjack dealer and Follie Bergere dancer.)

Corey has won more than 100 local, state and national awards for his journalism, which has also appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Magazine and the New York Post.

Corey is a New York native whose hobbies include playing guitar, trying to be a better husband, and arguing with strangers on Facebook.

Contact Corey at corey@casino.org.

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