On Monday morning, a gunman opened fire outside the Grand Sierra Resort, the largest casino in Reno, Nevada, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals and injuring three others. Authorities reported that the suspected shooter was also among those transported to a hospital following the incident. Dr. Chad Kingsley, the district health officer for the Northern Nevada Public Health Department, confirmed this information.
Police responded swiftly, arriving at the scene in less than three minutes after the first shots were fired. In their efforts to subdue the suspect, officers engaged him, according to a police statement. However, authorities have not disclosed the current conditions of the suspect or the three individuals who sustained injuries during the chaos.
The Grand Sierra Resort is one of the most prominent venues in Reno, frequently hosting concerts, sporting events, and even a campaign rally by former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election. Nestled near the California border and just northeast of Lake Tahoe, this resort attracts many tourists, especially during the summer months.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of panic and chaos. Hotel guests reported hearing several shots emanating from the resort’s valet area around 7:30 a.m. Michael Sisco, a 60-year-old guest, recounted his experience of hearing popping sounds just as he was about to head to the valet for his car. Looking out his window, he saw people screaming and fleeing from the area, and he witnessed a man staggering and then collapsing next to a car. Reflecting on the incident, Sisco shared, “A half hour after the incident I started shaking because I realized I could’ve been there. That’s exactly where I was going.”
Another guest, Christina Martinez, was stepping onto an elevator in the lobby when she heard the gunfire. She noted that the shots continued as she exited onto the 18th floor. A neighboring room alerted her to the presence of a gunman just outside the main entrance, close to where she had been moments earlier getting coffee. “I feel very blessed, but that’s kind of why I had a panic attack,” she said, reflecting on her close call. “I was like, oh my God. I was just there.”
In the wake of the shooting, the casino's entrance leading to the valet area was cordoned off to guests, and privacy screens were installed to obstruct the view outside. In addition to the two fatalities and those hospitalized, three more individuals received treatment for minor injuries at the resort. According to Devon Reese, chair of the Board of Health in northern Nevada, one person was grazed by a bullet on their pinky finger, while another suffered from severe anxiety, and a third was injured while attempting to escape.
This incident is not isolated; just over a year ago, two men were charged with the fatal shooting of another guest at the Grand Sierra Resort in January 2024. With its expansive casino floor and nearly 2,000 hotel rooms, the Grand Sierra Resort stands as one of the tallest buildings in Reno, located just a few blocks from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
In a heartfelt social media post, Devon Reese expressed his condolences, stating, “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.”
This tragic event has raised significant concern about gun violence and its impact on communities across the nation, prompting discussions on safety and preventive measures in public spaces.
