A recent bachelor party in Reno, Nevada, ended in unspeakable tragedy when four cherished alumni of Thousand Oaks High School became victims of a horrific shooting, forever altering lives and deeply impacting their close-knit community.
The group of 13 men, including the four Ventura County residents, had gathered for a weekend of celebration, tubing on the Truckee River, visiting local breweries and restaurants, and enjoying their Airbnb. Their bond, forged during their high school years at Thousand Oaks High, was evident as they shared laughter and camaraderie before the devastating incident at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.
On July 28, as they prepared to depart for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, tragedy struck with chilling swiftness. Six of the men were awaiting an Uber in the hotel’s valet area when a 26-year-old Reno resident allegedly opened fire with a 9mm handgun, discharging 80 rounds into the unsuspecting group.
The unprovoked assault resulted in the tragic deaths of 33-year-old Andrew Canepa and 33-year-old Justin Agulia, both Thousand Oaks High School graduates. A third victim, 66-year-old Angel Martinez of Reno, was also identified. Two others sustained injuries, including a Thousand Oaks resident released from the hospital, and Matt Sitler, who remains in critical but stable condition, grappling with the profound impact of this senseless gun violence.
Andrew Canepa, remembered by his former Thousand Oaks High football coach Mike Leibin, was not only a successful chef and co-owner of Side Street Café but also a beacon of kindness who treated his employees and customers like family. His dedication as a father to his six-year-old son, and his previous advocacy for victims of gun violence, including the Borderline Bar & Grill mass shooting, underscore the immense loss felt by his community and friends.
Justin Agulia’s family, while requesting privacy, shared a poignant tribute to a man remembered as an “incredible fiancée, a loving son and brother, and a truly loyal friend.” His loved ones highlight his “kindest heart, a vibrant spirit, and a way of making everyone feel welcome, seen, and loved,” emphasizing the deep sorrow permeating the Ventura County community in the wake of this tragedy.
Matt Sitler, a Thousand Oaks resident and vice president of Tax Defense Group, suffered severe injuries including the loss of his spleen. While he remembers the traumatic event, he is focused on grieving his childhood friends. His parents, who rushed to his bedside from Ventura County, exemplify the immediate outpouring of support and shock that has enveloped the community following the Reno shooting.
The enduring bonds among these Thousand Oaks alumni, who grew up together playing football and lacrosse, serve as a testament to their shared history. As investigations continue, the collective grief and calls for support for the victims and their families highlight the lasting scars left by such an act of gun violence and the imperative for community solidarity and remembrance in the face of tragedy.
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