Tucson Mass Shooting: Who Is the Suspect? What We Know So Far

Investigations into the shooting and the officer’s actions are underway, with local officials calling for stricter gun safety measures to prevent future violence.

A police officer shot and critically wounded a suspect after a mass shooting left nine people injured in downtown Tucson, Arizona, early on Sunday, authorities have said. The Tucson Police Department said officers assigned to the downtown district heard multiple gunshots near East Congress Street and North 6th Avenue at about 02:00 local time and immediately ran towards the scene on foot.

As officers arrived, they encountered a man running from the area. Police said officers gave the suspect multiple commands before one uniformed officer fired his department-issued weapon, striking him.

The suspect was taken into custody and given first aid before being transported by the Tucson Fire Department to a local hospital, where he was last reported to be in a life-threatening condition. No officers were injured.

Police said nine other people suffered gunshot wounds, primarily to their arms and legs. Officers provided emergency medical assistance before firefighters arrived and transported all of the victims to hospital. Authorities said all of the victims were in a critical condition but had been stabilised.

The shooting prompted road closures around East Congress Street and North 6th Avenue as investigators examined the scene. Drivers were urged to avoid the area.

The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department leading the inquiry into the officer-involved shooting.

The Tucson Police Department said it would also conduct a separate internal investigation to determine whether any departmental policies were violated. As is standard practice, the findings will be forwarded to the Pima County Attorney’s Office for review once both investigations are complete.

Investigators have appealed for anyone with information or video footage to contact 88-CRIME. Anonymous tips are being accepted. In a statement, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero condemned the violence and praised the emergency response. “Last night, Tucson experienced another serious and senseless act of gun violence,” she said. “A shooter recklessly began shooting in a crowded area striking nine people before being stopped by a Tucson Police Officer.”

She added: “Thanks to the quick actions and excellent care provided by our fire fighters and police officers, all victims were stabilized and taken to the hospital where we are hopeful they will all recover.”

The mayor also called for tougher gun safety measures.

“Easy access to guns and Arizona’s weak gun safety laws have continued to put all of us at risk,” Romero said. “From requiring universal background checks to extreme risk laws to funding violence prevention there is more lawmakers can and should do.”

According to Arizona’s Family, the incident is the 10th officer-involved shooting reported in the Tucson area this year and the 52nd statewide.

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