Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Police shot and killed a gunman Tuesday night after they say he fired into the street from an upper floor of a Reno, Nev., condo tower.
The gunman began shooting what was described as an automatic-type rifle from a position on the eighth floor of the Montage apartment building in downtown Reno on Tuesday night, police said.
Several rounds were fired in a 30-minute period as Reno police closed Sierra Street and surrounding roadways downtown. Residents were told by intercom to stay sheltered in their rooms shortly after 7 p.m.
Those in nearby apartments and casinos were also ordered to stay in place as SWAT team members took positions on nearby roofs and secured the seventh, eighth and ninth floors of the Montage building.
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Authorities said the shooter barricaded himself in one apartment with a woman, who police said was held hostage during the ordeal. She telephoned police from inside the apartment and ultimately emerged unhurt, after an officer and the Washoe County SWAT team entered the room and exchanged fire with the shooter.
Police said the gunman died from his injuries after he was taken into custody. Officials said he was in his 30s, but he was not immediately named.
Reno Deputy Police Chief Tom Robinson said the suspect's motive was not immediately known, and that one person was injured in the barrage of shots fired into the street. He added that police officers on the ground saw "sparks and spatter" as bullets smacked into the ground.
"The investigation is in its preliminary stages, but it appears that the suspect acted alone," the Sparks Police Department said.
Police radio reports suggested the shooter may have had mental health issues, KOLO-TV reported.
The shelter order was lifted just before 9 p.m. Authorities said there is no threat to the public.
Tuesday night's gunfire was strongly similar to an attack in Las Vegas last month, which killed 58 people. Incidentally, Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock once owned a condo at the Montage. Records show he sold the property in December 2016.
The University of Nevada-Reno Police, Nevada Highway Patrol, and agents of the FBI and ATF agents also responded to the shooting.
