A peaceful early morning in “The Biggest Little City in the World” exploded into chaos and carnage as gunfire rang out in front of the Lucky Ember Casino, leaving three dead, several injured, and an entire city in shock.

Authorities are calling it one of the most violent mass shootings Reno has seen in over a decade, and questions are swirling about why it happened, who’s responsible, and how such a massacre unfolded just steps away from a crowded gambling floor.

 “It sounded like fireworks… until people started screaming.”

The shooting occurred just after 3:07 a.m., when partygoers, gamblers, and late-night workers were still spilling in and out of the Lucky Ember — one of Reno’s busiest casinos known for its 24/7 slots, rooftop bar, and high-stakes poker room.

That’s when witnesses say they heard a rapid series of pops, followed by screams, sirens, and chaos.

“At first I thought it was some kind of 4th of July leftover,” said Lexi Harmon, a cocktail server at the casino who had just clocked out. “But then people started running, some of them covered in blood. I saw one man drop to the ground right in front of the valet stand.”

Within seconds, the glitz and glamor of late-night Reno transformed into a scene of terror.

 Police Response: “It Was Absolute Mayhem”

Reno PD and emergency responders arrived less than four minutes after the first 911 call. But by then, the damage was done.

3 people were pronounced dead at the scene
At least 6 others were hospitalized, some in critical condition
Dozens more were treated for panic attacks, injuries from stampedes, and glass cuts from shattered windows

Police cordoned off three full city blocks, and SWAT teams swept the casino floor, parking garage, and adjacent nightclubs, fearing additional shooters or hidden explosives.

“It was absolute mayhem,” said Officer Brian Carrillo, one of the first on scene. “We didn’t know if it was a lone gunman or a coordinated attack.”

 Mystery Deepens: Was It a Gang Dispute, or Something Bigger?

As investigators comb through surveillance footage and cell phone videos, one question remains: what triggered the bloodbath?

Early reports suggest the violence may have stemmed from a heated altercation between two rival groups in the casino’s nightclub hours earlier.

“There were arguments in the club, something about money and disrespect,” said a security guard who spoke under condition of anonymity. “They were kicked out around 2:45 a.m. Then BOOM — twenty minutes later, shots fired.”

Others online have floated darker theories.

Some claim it may have been a targeted hit, with one of the deceased rumored to be connected to an underground gambling syndicate operating along the West Coast.

A viral Reddit thread titled “Lucky Ember Shooting Wasn’t Random” has already racked up over 30,000 upvotes, with commenters speculating everything from gang warfare to mob retaliation.

 Unconfirmed: Shooter May Have Used Modified Semi-Auto

Unconfirmed police chatter captured on emergency scanners suggests the weapon used in the attack may have been a modified semi-automatic rifle, capable of firing at near-automatic speeds — raising renewed concerns about illegal weapon modifications and black market trafficking in the region.

A local arms expert told Nevada Today:

“If it’s true, that means someone brought a battlefield-grade weapon into a public place — and nobody stopped them.”

 Shocking Footage Floods Social Media

Within minutes of the shooting, raw video clips and livestreams began flooding TikTok, X, and Instagram.

One particularly chilling clip shows people diving for cover behind slot machines, while others scream “shooter outside!” over pulsing music and flashing neon lights.

Another shows the body of a young man lying motionless just outside the valet entrance — a scene too graphic for broadcast, but widely circulating online.

#RenoShooting
#LuckyEmberMassacre
#PrayForReno
All began trending worldwide before sunrise.

 Who Were the Victims?

Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased pending family notification, but sources tell The Reno Tribune the victims include:

A 28-year-old man from Sacramento visiting for a bachelor party
A 22-year-old local woman working as a bartender nearby
An unidentified man believed to be in his mid-30s, possibly connected to the suspected shooter’s group

The injured range in age from 19 to 41, with at least two victims still in critical condition at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

 Reno on Edge: Casino Security Under Fire

This tragic event has already triggered outrage over casino security protocols, with many asking how such a violent altercation — involving weapons — could unfold steps away from one of the most heavily surveilled buildings in the city.

“There are cameras EVERYWHERE,” said a former Lucky Ember employee. “They monitor everything — but when it mattered most, they couldn’t stop a massacre?”

Casino officials issued a brief statement:

“We are devastated by the tragic events and are fully cooperating with law enforcement. The safety of our guests is — and has always been — our top priority.”

But locals aren’t buying it.

Angry crowds gathered outside the casino Wednesday morning holding signs reading:
“No More Blood for Jackpots”
“Secure Our City, Not Just Your Profits”

 Suspect Still At Large?

Despite initial reports of a suspect being apprehended, Reno PD has now confirmed the primary shooter may still be at large — and possibly armed.

They have released a blurry photo from a casino camera showing a man in a red hoodie and black jeans fleeing the scene with what appears to be a weapon concealed under his arm.

“If you see this man, do NOT approach,” police warned. “Call 911 immediately.”

 A City in Mourning — But Demanding Answers

As candles are lit outside the Lucky Ember and blood still stains the pavement near the entrance, Reno residents are grappling with grief, fear — and fury.

“This isn’t just a tragedy,” said local councilwoman Elena Ruiz. “It’s a failure — of security, of law enforcement, and of leadership.”

Mayor Nick Amaro has declared a city-wide day of mourning and promised an independent investigation into the casino’s role in the incident.

 What Comes Next?

Will this event finally force a crackdown on late-night violence and illegal weapons in Nevada?

Will Lucky Ember survive the PR nightmare?

And — most importantly — will the shooter be caught before more lives are lost?

This story is developing. Updates will follow as new information emerges.