RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The attached picture is a screenshot from video from Jimmy Garcia that shows the shooter running away from valet just moments after the shooting that took place at the Grand Sierra Resort.
Police say that man had walked up to a group of five people who were waiting at valet to be picked up. That group was here from southern California for a bachelor party. The suspect, identified as Dakota Hawver, would pull out a gun and fire on that group of people. Police say they don’t not know of any connection between Hawver and the victims.
The shooting has the topic of what do to in the situation top of mind for many Reno residents.
Back in 2013, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, gave us their advice on what to do if you end up in the middle of a shooting, and they say to remember the saying “run, retreat, resist.”
The first is the most straightforward. If you can run from danger, do it, deputies say.
Option two is to retreat. Find a safe place to hide within the building that is out of the assailant’s view. Maybe in a closet, in a cabinet, or on the side of a vending machine. It’s always good to have something heavy in front of you, deputies say.
If you can’t run or hide, you may have to resist.
“If you’re going to act, do it as swiftly as possible,” said deputy Armando Avina. “If you’re going to act, if you’re going to resist, have that element of surprise against this person. You have to be courageous, and you have to, if you decide to resist, you have to go for it as, as strongly, as confidently as you possibly can.”
Deputies say if you’re going to resist, try to obstruct the assailant’s path. Turning chairs on their side in front of a door can help accomplish that.
And of course, they say to find anything you can use to defend yourself, even a heavy-duty stapler or a shelf can make all the difference.
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