Police respond to a shooting outside the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev., Monday. A gunman walked up to a valet area and opened fire, police said. Andy Barron - ap

By Andy Barron and Rio Yamat | The Associated Press

RENO, Nev. -A gunman opened fire Monday outside the largest casino in Reno, Nevada, killing three people and wounding three others before police shot the suspect and arrested him, officials said.

The suspect had no known connection to the victims, and it was unclear if he was a guest or an employee at the Grand Sierra Resort, one of Reno's most prominent venues that has hosted concerts, sporting events and a campaign rally by President Donald Trump before the 2024 election. Near the California border and just northeast of Lake Tahoe, the town is a popular summer tourist destination.

Police were still trying to determine a motive for the shooting.

Two victims were in critical condition, while one was treated and released from the hospital, said Chris Crawforth, the police chief of the neighboring town of Sparks, whose department is leading the investigation.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. when the gunman walked up to the casino-hotel's valet parking area, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at a group of people, police said. His gun initially malfunctioned, but he quickly was able to get it to shoot multiple times before fleeing on foot through the parking lot where he encountered an armed casino security guard. Crawforth said the gunman opened fire on the guard, who returned fire as the shooter fled again.

The suspect later shot at someone driving by in the parking lot, striking and killing the driver before officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of the first shots being fired.

"There was incredible, swift action that took place," Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said, adding that it stopped the suspect from going into the casino-hotel to continue the rampage.

The suspect fired at Reno police officers, hitting a patrol vehicle. Multiple officers returned fire, striking the suspect, Crawforth said. The suspect, whose name was not released, remains in critical condition.

Michael Sisco, 60, said he was in his room and about to head to the valet for his carwhen 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 onto an elevator in the lobby, and they were still going off when she stepped out onto 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.' "