A shooting outside an Empire Pizza & Pub in Tucson, Arizona, on July 19 left nine people wounded, according to newly released security video and police reports. The alleged gunman, identified as 21-year-old David Leroy French, opened fire on a group of people shortly after 2 a.m. before fleeing the scene.
Security footage captured the moment French discharged his weapon multiple times into a crowd before running down the street. Responding Tucson police officers, who were on routine patrol in the area, quickly arrived at the scene. Within seconds of the shooting, officers apprehended French a short distance away. The video shows French falling to the sidewalk after being shot by police.
French was transported to a local hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition. He was later arraigned from his hospital bed and charged with assault and weapons possession. Authorities stated that French was on probation at the time of the incident, having previously pleaded guilty to an earlier shooting in October 2024.
The owners of the pizzeria where the shooting occurred posted on Instagram, suggesting that the incident reflects a broader trend of increasing danger in downtown Tucson. They noted that the debate over gun control was not applicable to the recent issues in the area.
