RENO, NEVADA — The Sparks Police Department has confirmed the death of Dakota Hawver, the 26-year-old Reno resident suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at the Grand Sierra Resort on Monday, July 28, 2025. Hawver succumbed to injuries sustained during a shootout with law enforcement shortly after the incident, passing away overnight on July 30, 2025.

**Details of the Shooting
The attack began just before 7:30 a.m. in the valet area of the Grand Sierra Resort, a prominent hotel and casino near downtown Reno. Hawver, armed with a legally purchased 9mm handgun, approached a group of people and attempted to fire, but his weapon initially malfunctioned. After resolving the issue, he fired approximately 80 rounds using multiple magazines, targeting individuals in the valet area and parking lot. The shooting claimed the lives of three people and injured three others.

The victims were identified as:
– **Justin Aguila**, 33, of Southern California
– **Andrew Canepa**, 33, of Southern California
– **Angel Martinez**, 66, of Reno/Sparks

Aguila and Canepa, friends who graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 2010, were in Reno for a bachelor party and were shot from behind while waiting for a ride to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Martinez, a beloved local with over 30 years of experience working in Reno’s restaurants and casinos, was ambushed while driving through the parking lot. Two other victims, identified by family and friends as Matt Sitler and Dylan McLean from Southern California, were injured but are expected to recover. A third injured person was treated for minor injuries, including one grazed by a bullet, one with severe anxiety, and one hurt while fleeing.

The incident escalated when Hawver fled through the parking lot, exchanging gunfire with a Grand Sierra Resort security officer. As he continued north, he shot at a Reno Police Department patrol car, prompting multiple officers to return fire, critically wounding him. Hawver was taken into custody and transported to Renown Regional Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition until his death.

**Suspect Background
Dakota Hawver, a Reno resident, had no prior criminal history or documented mental health issues, according to the Sparks Police Department. He legally purchased the 9mm handgun used in the attack about two years prior and had recently acquired the ammunition. Investigators have found no connections between Hawver, the victims, or the Grand Sierra Resort, and his motive remains unknown.

Court records indicate Hawver was involved in a child support case in Washoe County, with a recent filing requesting genetic testing and a docket entry as recent as July 25, 2025. While some speculate that personal or financial stress may have contributed to his actions, police have stated there is no evidence linking the case to the shooting at this time.

**Ongoing Investigation
The Sparks Police Department, in collaboration with the Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, is leading the investigation. Authorities are meticulously reconstructing Hawver’s movements, analyzing his social media and financial records, and seeking witness accounts to determine a motive. The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office has classified the deaths of Aguila, Canepa, and Martinez as homicides due to gunshot wounds.

Six Reno police officers involved in the shootout have been placed on administrative leave, per standard protocol, and are receiving wellness and peer support resources. The officer injured in the incident, likely by glass fragments, was treated and released from the hospital.

**Community Response and Remembering the Victims
The Reno community is reeling from the tragedy, with a multi-faith candlelight vigil held on July 30, 2025, at the Unity Center of Reno to honor the victims. Organized by Hindu statesman Rajan Zed and Unity Minister Toni King, the vigil included prayers from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i, Native American, and Pagan faiths, reflecting the community’s unity in grief.

Justin Aguila and Andrew Canepa, both from Ventura County, were remembered as kind-hearted friends and dedicated professionals. Canepa, a co-owner of Side Street Café in Newbury Park, was a loving father to his young son. Angel Martinez, a father and grandfather, was cherished for his culinary passion and devotion to his family, particularly his son Michael and grandson.

Verified GoFundMe campaigns have been established to support the families of Martinez, Aguila, and Canepa with funeral and memorial costs. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo expressed gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement and security personnel, which prevented further loss of life. The Grand Sierra Resort issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the “senseless violence” and praising their security team’s courageous actions.

**A Call for Information
The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact Sparks Police Detectives at (775) 353-2225. As Reno mourns, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and seeking answers to prevent future tragedies.