Sparks Police Department Press Release Re: Dakota Hawver Fatal Shooting
Active Shooter/Homicide
Date/Time of Incident: July 28, 2025 at 7:25 am
Case: 25-5315
Suspect: Dakota Hawver, 26, Reno resident
Victims: listed below
Location: Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 East Second St. Reno
Following the incident that occurred yesterday at the Grand Sierra Resort, investigators with the Sparks Police Department and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office have conducted multiple interviews and have collected and reviewed evidence from the scene. The following details are being released to provide some insight into what occurred during the active shooting incident, based on preliminary details known currently in this still ongoing investigation.
The victims who were murdered have been identified as:
Justin Aguila, a Southern California resident, was 33 years old.
Andrew Canepa, a Southern California resident, was 33 years old.
Angel Martinez, a Reno/Sparks resident, was 66 years old.
Aguila and Canepa were in town for a bachelor party with several friends and were shot, from behind, while waiting in the valet area for a ride to the airport.
Martinez was driving his vehicle through the parking lot away from the building when he was ambushed by the suspect, who was hiding behind another vehicle in the parking lot, before shooting at Martinez several times.
Along with those who lost their lives, there are including two (2) victims who are still hospitalized but are expected to make a full recovery. These victims’ names will not be released.
The suspect responsible for the yesterday’s shooting has been identified as, Dakota Hawver, a 26-year-old Reno resident and is currently in critical condition. Hawver was armed with a 9mm handgun and fired approximately 80 rounds, utilizing multiple magazines. Hawver legally purchased the firearm approximately 2 years ago and purchased the ammunition recently. Furthermore, Hawver does not have any criminal history, nor has he been found to have any mental health history. Finally, investigators have not found any connections to the Grand Sierra Resort or any of the victims, and his motive is unknown, at this time.
To reiterate, this is an active and ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released at this time.
Thank you
Releasing Authority:
John Patton
Police Lieutenant
ipatton@cityofsparks.us
(775) 353-2241 x5513
Contact:
Non-Emergency Dispatch (775) 353-2231
Detective Section (775) 353-2225
Traffic Section (775) 353-2432
Patrol Section (775) 353-2239
Secret Witness Online or call/text (775) 322-4900
New police body camera video details the moment a shooting erupted outside a casino in Reno, Nevada, killing three people, including two from Southern California.
The incident happened on July 28 near the valet area of the Grand Sierra Resort, the largest casino in Reno.
The suspected shooter, 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, walked up to the valet area, pulled out a gun and pointed it at a group of people, according to police. His weapon initially malfunctioned, but he was quickly able to get it to shoot before running through the parking lot, where he encountered an armed casino security guard.
Hawver opened fire on the guard, who returned fire as the shooter fled again before being shot by police and taken into custody. Hawver died a few days later.