Nine wounded in downtown Tucson shooting; suspect critically injured after officer-involved shooting
Nine people were injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in downtown Tucson, Arizona, according to local police. The suspected gunman was shot by officers at the scene and is in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
The incident unfolded around 2 a.m. local time in an area with bars and restaurants that often draws late-night crowds. Officers on routine patrol heard gunfire and immediately ran toward the sound, said Tucson Police Department spokesperson Frank Magos during a Sunday press conference.
Magos said the officers encountered an adult male suspect and gave repeated commands before one officer fired, striking the suspect. All nine victims, along with the suspect, received emergency medical treatment at the scene before being transported to hospitals. Most victims were struck in the extremities, and several were listed in critical condition, Magos said.
The suspect’s identity is known to police but is not being released at this time, Magos added. He described the crime scene as “rather large,” covering multiple blocks. No immediate motive has been established, and investigators are working to determine whether the suspect acted alone or if others were involved.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office is leading the criminal investigation, while the Tucson Police Department has launched an internal administrative review of the officer who fired his weapon. All officers at the scene were equipped with body cameras, police said.
“This investigation is going to take a significant amount of time,” Magos said, adding that authorities are still trying to determine how many rounds were fired and whether the suspect was responsible for all nine injuries. He declined to answer directly when asked how many officers discharged their weapons, saying, “We’re not quite there.”
The shooting comes amid a broader national conversation about gun violence in public spaces. Tucson has seen a rise in late-night shootings in recent years, and this incident has drawn comparisons to other mass casualty events in the state. Local officials have expressed concern over the frequency of such attacks, though no immediate policy changes have been announced.