A gunman opened fire at a Nevada casino on Monday morning, killing three people before being taken into custody, police said.
The suspect had no known connection to the victims, police said, adding that the motive is unknown.
The suspected shooter at the Grand Sierra Resort was among those transported to a hospital, said Dr Chad Kingsley, district health officer for the Northern Nevada public health department.
The local news outlet KRNV reported that Reno police responded to a report of an active shooter at the Grand Sierra Resort at about 7.25am. Within four or five minutes, officers found the suspect, who was then taken to a hospital after what police described as an officer-involved shooting.
The incident started outside near the resort’s valet area and may have extended to other parts of the property, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported, citing law enforcement officials.
In addition to those who were killed and the people taken to the hospital, three more were treated 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 little finger, one was treated for severe anxiety and one was injured while running, he said.
Hotel guests heard several shots coming from the resort’s valet area.
Michael Sisco, 60, said he was in his room and about to head to the valet for his car when he heard popping sounds. He looked out his window and saw people screaming and running from the valet area.
He said he saw a man holding his stomach and staggering before falling motionless next to a car. Sisco moved away from the window as the gunshots continued.
“A half-hour after the incident, I started shaking because I realized I could’ve been there,” he said. “That’s exactly where I was going.”
Christina Martinez heard the shots just as she was stepping into an elevator in the lobby, and they were still going off when she stepped out on to the 18th floor.
Someone in a neighboring room told her there was a gunman right outside the main entrance, near where Martinez said she was getting coffee just moments before.
“I feel very blessed, but that’s kind of why I had a panic attack,” she said. “I was like, oh my God. I was just there.”
The resort is one of Reno’s most prominent venues, hosting concerts, sporting events and a campaign rally by Donald Trump before the 2024 election. Near the California border and just north-east of Lake Tahoe, the town is a popular summer tourist destination.
The Grand Sierra Resort condemned the “senseless violence” in a statement to the Gazette-Journal.
“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.”
“It could have been much, much worse,” said Reno’s mayor, Hillary Schieve. “We don’t know yet quite how it started or who was involved.”
The Associated Press contributed reporting
