Southern California survivor of Reno mass shooting recalls terrifying moment gunfire erupted

A Southern California man who survived a mass shooting outside a casino hotel in Reno, Nevada, recalls the terrifying moment the gunman opened fire, killing three people and wounding several others.

On July 28, Dylan McLean, along with 12 friends, many from the Ventura County area, were staying at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino for a bachelor party that weekend.

Around 7:30 a.m., the group had checked out and were waiting in the valet area for a ride to the airport when the gunman walked up and opened fire. McLean heard what sounded like a firecracker as the shooter appeared from behind them.

“We just turned and the guy was 15-20 feet away,” he recalled. “He had the gun down here and he was racking it or trying to unjam it. We all recognized it at the same time and we all just took off.”

The shooter, Dakota Hawver, 26, of Reno, reportedly pointed a 9mm handgun at the group. The firearm initially malfunctioned, but he was able to shoot the weapon several times, firing multiple rounds before fleeing on foot.  

He eventually shot a security guard, fatally shot a person driving their vehicle in the parking lot and also fired at Reno police officers, striking a patrol vehicle, officials said. Police fired back at Hawver, striking him. He was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical condition. 

Three people were killed in the shooting: Justin Agulia, 33 and Andrew Canepa, 33, both Southern California residents, and Angel Martinez, 66, a Nevada resident. Three other victims were wounded but survived.

McLean’s two close friends, Canepa and Aguila, were struck and killed. As McLean ran away, a bullet grazed his torso on the left side. Another friend was shot several times, but is recovering in the ICU. McLean said the incident was beyond shocking and devastating.

“You just never think it’s going to happen to you,” he said. “Even thinking back, it’s a huge casino, it’s a huge town, we’re one group. How can this happen to us?”

McLean described Canepa as a bright light. Canepa was the co-owner of the popular Side Street Cafe in Newbury Park and was a loving husband and father of a 6-year-old son.

“No matter what was happening in his life, you would never know it,” McLean said. “He’s just super sweet.”

He described his friend, Aguila, as a generous soul who had a way of making everyone feel seen. Aguila was a beloved son and brother and was also engaged to be married. 

“They were perfect for each other in every single way and we were waiting a long time for them to get engaged,” McLean said.

As the victims’ families mourn the lives lost, McLean said he is focused on supporting his lifelong friends and their loved ones during this difficult time.

A GoFundMe page to help Aguila’s family with funeral expenses can be found here. A GoFundMe to help Canepa’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.

Detectives later confirmed the shooter had fired approximately 80 rounds, utilizing multiple magazines. He had no ties to any of the victims and a motive behind the mass shooting remains unclear. He remains in critical condition.