Three people have died and two others are in critical condition after a shooting outside a casino in the US state of Nevada, local authorities reported, quoted by DPA and BTA.
In addition to the five injured, the alleged perpetrator was also injured and was detained and hospitalized.
Police said there was no indication that the suspect knew the victims. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Chris Crawford, police chief in the neighboring city of Sparks, whose department is leading the investigation in cooperation with the Reno police department, said the suspect was seen walking through the parking lot and pulling out a gun, pointing it at a group of people who were at the scene, Reuters reported. The gun initially misfired, but the suspect was able to get it working again and opened fire, wounding five people before retreating through the parking lot and engaging in a gunfight with an armed security guard hired by the casino.
The shooter then shot a sixth victim who was walking through the parking lot shortly before police officers arrived on the scene and engaged the suspect in a gunfight, wounding him and ending the violence.
Three of the victims died, and two other victims with gunshot wounds from the parking lot attendant's area were hospitalized in critical condition, Crawford said. The suspect is also in critical condition.
One officer suffered minor injuries, possibly caused by shards of glass, Reno Police Chief Catherine Nance said.
The United States has long struggled with widespread gun violence. Firearms are readily available and widespread. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tens of thousands of people die from gun-related injuries each year, DPA notes.
While mass shootings at schools, supermarkets and other public places often lead to renewed calls for stricter gun control, legislative efforts have largely stalled. The proposed reforms continue to face resistance from Republican congressmen and the powerful gun-rights lobby.