Police Identifies SoCal ‘Random Shooting’ Victim as Restaurant Owner

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Authorities have identified one of the victims in Monday’s deadly Reno casino shooting as 33-year-old Andrew Canepa, a well-known Southern California restaurant owner and father.

Canepa, co-owner of the popular Side Street Café in Newbury Park, was gunned down outside the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, around 7:30 a.m. on July 29 on what police described as a ‘random and unprovoked attack.’ He had just wrapped up a weekend bachelor party trip with friends and was waiting for a ride to the airport when the attack occurred.

The shooting claimed three lives and injured two others. Canepa and another Southern California resident, 33-year-old Justin Aguila, were killed on the spot. A third victim, 66-year-old Angel Martinez, a local Reno resident, was fatally shot while driving through the casino parking lot.

Reno police identified the gunman as 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, a Reno resident with no known ties to the victims or the casino. He used a legally purchased handgun and had no prior criminal record or documented mental health issues. Hawver was shot by police at the scene and remains in critical condition.

As investigators continue searching for a motive, the senseless nature of the attack has devastated Canepa’s family and the tight-knit Ventura County community, where he was admired as a hardworking small business owner and devoted father to his six-year-old son, Kayden.

Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell confirmed Canepa’s death in a social media tribute, writing, “Andrew was a kind soul, a dedicated business owner, and a loving father. His presence lit up every room.”

In the wake of the tragedy, a family friend launched a GoFundMe campaign to help provide for Kayden’s future, covering educational expenses, therapy, and day-to-day needs. “Andrew worked tirelessly to provide a good life for his son,” wrote organizer Stevie Turnure. “His passing has left an unimaginable hole.”

While two other victims remain hospitalized with injuries, police have emphasized there is no indication the shooter targeted anyone specifically. The attack appears to have been a spontaneous act of violence.

The Grand Sierra Resort released a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and commending first responders for their swift action.

The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement works to determine what led to the deadly shooting.