Nine people were wounded in a chaotic shooting near a pizza restaurant in downtown Tucson, Arizona, early Sunday morning, with police saying the violence may have erupted after a confrontation between two groups who knew each other.
Officers were already in the area near 6th Avenue and Congress Street when they heard gunfire at around 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, according to KGUN, WINK and AZFamily.
Police rushed toward the scene and found nine people suffering from gunshot wounds, primarily to their arms and legs. At least one victim had been shot multiple times.
All nine victims were taken to local hospitals in critical condition, investigators said.
As officers arrived, they reportedly spotted the suspected gunman running away. Police opened fire, striking the suspect.
Officers immediately provided first aid before the suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Investigators have not announced a final motive, but authorities currently believe the shooting may have followed an earlier confrontation between two groups of people who were familiar with one another.
Because the suspect was shot by police, the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team will investigate the officer-involved shooting.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will lead the criminal investigation into the mass shooting, while the Tucson Police Department will conduct a separate internal review of the officers’ actions.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero described the attack as a “serious and senseless act of gun violence.”
“Thanks to the quick actions and excellent care provided by our firefighters and police officers, all victims were stabilized and taken to the hospital, where we are hopeful they will all recover,” Romero wrote on social media.
The mayor said the impact of the shooting would extend far beyond those physically injured.
“As we all know too well, the impact resulting from this act of gun violence reaches beyond the scene and the victims,” she wrote. “It affects all of us: family and friends, first responders, the witnesses, our entire community. We know these moments leave a lasting impression on us and our sense of safety.”
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords also responded to the shooting through her national gun violence prevention organization, Giffords.
Giffords survived a 2011 shooting in Tucson that had previously been considered the city’s worst mass shooting, according to WINK.
“My heart is with the victims of this senseless shooting, as well as their families,” Giffords said. “I am praying for swift and full recoveries for everyone who was injured.”
“I know firsthand how devastating the injuries from a shooting can be, and my thoughts are with each person who was impacted,” she continued. “It is especially alarming to see another mass shooting in my hometown.”
Giffords said people should be able to spend a Saturday night getting pizza without fearing gunfire.
“Arizona continues to have laws that make it easy for dangerous people to access guns — the time to act is now,” she said.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has cellphone or surveillance footage to contact 88-CRIME and reference Pima County Sheriff’s Department case number 260719048.
