A peaceful Monday morning was shattered at a Reno casino by a sudden burst of gunfire, sending guests running for safety and transforming a popular resort into a scene of deadly violence.
A gunman opened fire just outside a Reno resort and casino on the morning of July 28, 2025, resulting in three fatalities and several injuries. Hotel guests reported hearing gunshots from their rooms as panic spread throughout the property.
Authorities confirmed that six people were shot in total: three died from their injuries, two remain in critical condition, and one was treated and released on Monday afternoon. Additionally, three other individuals sustained minor injuries at the scene but declined hospital transport. An officer also sustained injuries, likely from glass shards.
According to Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance, dispatch received the first report of an active shooter at 7:25 a.m. Officers arrived within two minutes, locating the suspect in the resort’s parking lot, where he immediately began firing at police, striking a patrol vehicle. The suspect fled, shooting and killing a person driving through the parking lot. Officers eventually apprehended him, 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 stated. Due to an officer discharging a weapon during the incident, the Sparks Police Department is leading the investigation, adhering to standard protocol for officer-involved shootings. Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth, overseeing the investigation, confirmed no known connections between the suspect and the victims, and a motive has not yet been identified. The suspect’s name has not been released publicly.
Hotel guest Michael Sisco recounted hearing “unmistakable gunshots” in “rapid succession” just as he was about to go outside. “I looked out the window and saw people running,” he said, describing one person who appeared to have been shot, stumbling and crawling to a nearby car before collapsing. Shortly afterward, an announcement over the resort’s intercom warned of an “active law enforcement incident” outside, assuring guests they were “safe inside.” Later, guests received a text message from the resort confirming the incident was contained: “We apologize for any inconvenience as we continue to resolve the situation.”
“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 remarked. “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 and issued 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, initially closed, reopened by 10 a.m.
“We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that occurred in our parking area earlier today,” the Grand Sierra Resort stated. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident.” The resort added, “We are incredibly grateful for the swift and courageous response by our armed security team, whose immediate actions helped prevent further harm. 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 confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public and continues to support affected guests and staff.
Idaho Firefighters Ambushed While Battling Blaze
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 bush fires in Idaho.
On Sunday, June 29, 2025, two firefighters were killed and several others injured after gunmen ambushed first responders battling a brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, authorities confirmed. Fire crews arrived at the blaze around 1:30 p.m. local time. Shortly after their arrival, unknown attackers opened fire from wooded terrain, striking both firefighters and law enforcement officers, as confirmed by Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris.
The victims were identified as fire personnel, though their names have not been released. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and surrounding areas. Civilians were observed evacuating and may have been caught between the flames and the gunfire. A police helicopter was dispatched for assistance but could not land due to the active shooting and difficult terrain.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard reportedly stated that investigators are actively examining whether someone intentionally set the fire to lure first responders to the scene. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the investigation and is actively searching for suspects. As the investigation unfolded, 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 on the scene, a conclusion supported by early federal indications.
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 stated, “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 garnered 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 stated that two were killed and one remains in surgery, urging 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 on the ground and offered prayers 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 and his wife expressed their heartbreak and urged Idahoans to pray for the victims and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.