SoCal Restaurant Owner Killed In Reno Mass Shooting: Authorities

VENTURA COUNTY, CA — A Southern California restaurant owner was one of three men killed this week in a mass shooting outside a casino in Reno, according to authorities.

Andrew Canepa, 33, was a co-owner of Side Street Cafe in Newbury Park, according to Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell, who posted about Canepa’s death on X, linking to a FOX 11 story about the killings.

“Andrew was a kind soul, a dedicated business owner, and a loving father to his young son,” Gorell wrote. “We will miss seeing his warm presence at the restaurant and are deeply saddened by this loss.”

Canepa and Justin Aguila, also 33 and from Southern California, were fatally shot from behind around 7:30 a.m. Monday, while waiting for a ride to the airport outside the Grand Sierra Resort after attending a bachelor party in Reno, according to officials.

Also killed was Angel Martinez, a 66-year-old Reno resident who was driving his car through the parking lot when he was shot, police said.

The gunman, 26-year-old Dakota Hawver of Reno, had no known connection to the resort or any of the victims, whom he killed with a legally purchased handgun, according to authorities, who said Hawver had no criminal record or history of mental health problems. Hawver was in critical condition Wednesday after he was shot by police.

Two other people wounded in Monday's shooting remained hospitalized Wednesday but were expected to make a full recovery.

A family friend started a GoFundMe to collect donations to help Canepa’s 6-year-old son access mental health support, and pay for future school and extracurricular expenses as well as basic needs.

“Andrew was a devoted dad who lit up every room he walked into,” Stevie Turnure wrote in the GoFundMe webpage summary. “He worked hard to provide for Kayden and to be present for every big and small moment. His sudden passing has left an unimaginable void in Kayden’s life.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.