Who is Dakota Hawver? Suspect of Grand Sierra Resort mass shooting in Reno, Nevada

26-year-old Dakota Hawver of Reno was arrested after a mass shooting at Grand Sierra Resort on July 28 while trying to flee the scene, police said.

Updated on: Jul 30, 2025, 07:57:37 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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26-year-old Dakota Hawver was identified as the suspect of the mass shooting at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada on Monday, July 28. Hawver, who is from Reno, was arrested by the officers from the Sparks Police Department on Monday, as he tried to flee the Grand Sierra Resort after the shooting.

An entrance to the Grand Sierra Resort is closed after a shooting occurred at the resort in Reno on Monday, July 28. (AP)

Hawver was identified as the suspect by the Reno Police Department on Tuesday, Joly 29, along with the three victims killed in the shooting in Nevada. Justin Aguila, 33, of Southern California, Andrew Canepa, 33, of Southern California, and Angel Martinez, 66, of Reno/Sparks have been identified as the victims of the shooting in Reno.

Who is Dakota Hawver?

Reno resident Dakota Hawver stormed the Grand Sierra - a popular Nevada casino on Monday with an 9mm gun, legally purchased around 2 years ago, the police said. He is in critical condition after being admitted to the hospital after being shot by officers during the standoff.

Also read: Reno shooting suspect: Video shows gunman running away from Grand Sierra after opening fire

According to the police, Hawver does not have any criminal history, nor does he have any mental health issues. As of now, no motive behind the mass shooting has been found that links the victims and Hawver. Meanwhile, the officers who were injured in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, Reno Police said.

"Officers have also been provided with wellness and peer support resources to support them and their families during this time," a statement from Reno Police read. “The Officer who sustained injuries during this incident was treated and released from the hospital.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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