Three Dead and More Injured in Reno Casino Shooting – Here's What We Know

A burst of gunfire shattered the calm at a Reno casino early Monday, sending guests scrambling for cover and turning a popular resort into the site of a deadly shooting.

A gunman opened fire right outside a Reno resort and casino on the morning of July 28, 2025, killing three people and injuring several others. Guests reported hearing gunfire from their hotel rooms as panic spread throughout the property.

Authorities said six people were shot in total. Three died from their injuries, two remain in critical condition, and one was treated and released Monday afternoon.

In addition, three other individuals sustained minor injuries at the scene but declined to be taken to the hospital. An officer was also injured, likely by glass shards.

According to Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance, dispatch received the first report of an active shooter at 7:25 a.m., and officers arrived at the scene within two minutes. They found the suspect in the resort's parking lot, where he began firing at police, striking a patrol vehicle.

As the suspect fled, he shot and killed a person driving through the parking lot. Officers eventually took him into custody, and he is currently hospitalized in critical condition.

"The bravery and rapid response [from the officer] stopped the suspect's rampage on innocent victims, which definitely saved lives and prevented additional people from being victimized," Nance said.

Because an officer discharged a weapon during the incident, the Sparks Police Department is leading the investigation in accordance with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.

Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth, who is overseeing the investigation, said there are no known connections between the suspect and the victims. A motive has not yet been identified, and the suspect has not been publicly named.

One hotel guest, Michael Sisco, said he was about to head outside when he heard what he described as "unmistakable gunshots" in "rapid succession."

"I looked out the window and saw people running," he said. Sisco described seeing one person, who appeared to have been shot, stumble and crawl to a nearby car before lying down on the ground.

Shortly afterward, Sisco heard an announcement over the resort's intercom warning of an "active law enforcement incident" outside. Guests were told they were "safe inside."

Later, guests received a text message from the resort stating that the incident had been contained. "We apologize for any inconvenience as we continue to resolve the situation," the message read.

"Tragedies like this are horrific for any community to endure, not just for the victims, the first responders and the people who are there, but for everyone who calls our community home," Police Chief Nance said. "Violence is not acceptable, especially in our public spaces. Everyone has the right to be safe here."

The Grand Sierra Resort remained operational after the incident but released a statement condemning the shooting. While the Greg Street, Mill Street, and East Second Street/Glendale Avenue entrances are open, part of the west parking lot remained blocked off as of 1 p.m. Monday. The main entrance had been closed earlier in the day but reopened by 10 a.m.

"We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that occurred in our parking area earlier today," the Grand Sierra Resort said. "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 resort added. "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 Grand Sierra Resort stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public and that it is continuing to support guests and staff affected by the shooting.

The Reno shooting is one of several recent violent incidents involving first responders and public servants. In another senseless attack, two firefighters died after being ambushed while responding to bushfires in Idaho.

Two firefighters were killed and several others injured on Sunday, June 29, 2025, after gunmen ambushed first responders battling a brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d'Alene, authorities said.

Fire crews responded to the blaze around 1:30 p.m. local time. Shortly after they arrived, unknown attackers opened fire from wooded terrain, striking both firefighters and law enforcement officers, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed.

The victims were identified as fire personnel, but their names have not been released. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas.

Civilians were seen evacuating and may have been caught between the flames and the gunfire. A police helicopter was dispatched to assist, but could not land due to the active shooting and difficult terrain.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Howard reportedly said that investigators are actively examining whether someone intentionally set the fire to draw first responders to the scene. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the investigation and is searching for suspects.

As the investigation developed, NBC News reported that firefighters responded to what officials believe was an intentionally set fire. Authorities told the outlet that "ambush" accurately describes what happened to those first at the scene, and a federal official said early indications support that conclusion.

Emergency radio transmissions obtained by NBC revealed the chaotic response. One voice reported, "Two battalion chiefs down, two officers injured."

Another warned, "I have no idea where the shooters [are] at or where they're going, in which direction. I would recommend that our units, all of our firing units, escape further down the pavement towards town, maybe a half a mile or so to a safe staging area."

A third reportedly said, "We're going to need multiple ambulances for ALS care. As soon as we can get law enforcement in here to get these people out, I recommend we get no less than five, five ambulances staged at the bottom. I don't care where we get them from."

The scale and severity of the attack quickly drew national attention. Edward A. Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, confirmed on X that IAFF members were targeted in a sniper attack.

He said two were killed and one remains in surgery. He urged the public to keep the victims, their families, and responders in their thoughts.

In a related response, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, in a separate post on X, thanked FBI agents working on the ground and said officials are praying for those affected.

Meanwhile, Idaho Governor Brad Little also addressed the attack on the same platform, calling it a "heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters." He said he and his wife were heartbroken and urged Idahoans to pray for the victims and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.