By Elizabeth Wolfe, John Miller, Sara Smart, CNN

A gunman opened fire early Monday morning at a resort and casino in Reno, leaving three people dead and several injured as guests were startled by a spray of gunfire that could be heard from their rooms, according to police.

The gunman’s motive is still unknown, and there is no known connection between the suspect and the victims, said Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth, whose department is leading the investigation.

In total, six victims were shot, three fatally, according to Crawforth. Two remain in critical condition in the hospital, and one person was released as of Monday afternoon, he said.

The suspect, who is in police custody but has yet to be publicly identified, was seen pacing the parking lot of the Grand Sierra Resort for about 45 minutes before the shooting, a law enforcement official briefed on the incident told CNN.

At some point, the gunman walked into the resort’s valet area and began shooting, according to Crawforth.

“Once at valet, the suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at a group of victims,” Crawforth said. “The suspect’s firearm malfunctioned. However, he was able to make it operable. Once operable, the suspect fired multiple times at the group of victims at valet.”

One person was killed and four others were shot in the valet area, Crawforth added.

The suspect, who had multiple magazines of ammunition, turned and fled back through the parking lot, where a resort security guard confronted him, the police chief said. The suspect shot at the security officer, who returned fire.

As the suspect continued to flee, he shot at a person who was driving through the parking lot, killing them, according to Crawforth.

Reno police received a report of the active shooting at 7:25 a.m. and were at the scene within about two minutes, according to Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance. Officers found the suspect in the parking lot, and he began firing at officers, striking a patrol vehicle, Crawforth said.

An “officer-involved shooting” occurred and multiple Reno police officers fired their weapons, he said. The suspect was taken into custody and brought to a hospital, where he is in critical condition.

“The bravery and rapid response (from the) officer stopped the suspect’s rampage on innocent victims, which definitely saved lives and prevented additional people from being victimized,” Nance said.

Three other people received minor injuries at the scene and declined to be taken to a hospital, according to the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority Director Todd Kerfoot. An officer was also injured, likely from glass shards, Nance said.

Because the shooting involved a Reno officer, the Sparks Police Department will lead the investigation, which is the normal protocol, Nance said.

Nance joined Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and other emergency response officials in offering condolences for the victims’ families.

“Tragedies like this are horrific for any community to endure, not just for the victims, the first responders and the people who are there, but for everyone who calls our community home,” Nance said. “Violence is not acceptable, especially in our public spaces. Everyone has the right to be safe here.”

There was initially confusion surrounding how many people were injured or possibly killed. Northern Nevada District Health Officer Dr. Chad Kingsley told CNN later in the morning that two people were found dead and three were taken to a hospital. A law enforcement official who had been briefed on the incident told CNN two people were killed and at least two others were injured. Reno police spokesperson Chris Johnson dismissed both tolls as inaccurate.

Guest shaken by ‘unmistakable gunshots’

As the shooting began, resort guest Michael Sisco was about to head outside when he heard “unmistakable gun shots” in “rapid succession,” he told CNN.

“I looked out the window and saw people running,” Sisco said.

He saw one person, who appeared to be shot, stumble and crawl to a nearby car and then laid down on the ground.

After the incident, Sisco heard an announcement over the resort intercom which warned of “an active law enforcement incident outside.” It informed guests, “You are safe inside.”

Guests later received a text from the resort that said, “We currently have a law enforcement situation on property which has been contained. We apologize for any inconvenience as we continue to resolve the situation.”

Photos taken by Sisco show emergency vehicles, including an ambulance, fire truck and police cars, outside the casino following the incident.

The resort entrance was still closed off at 10 a.m. Sisco said, though guests were allowed to leave from a different exit. The entire valet parking area was roped off.

Reno City Council member Devon Reese called the incident “yet another act of senseless gun violence.”

“My heart breaks for the victims, their families, and our entire community. Reno is strong — but we are not immune to the epidemic of gun violence gripping this nation,” Reese said in a social media post.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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