A mass shooting early Saturday morning in downtown Tucson left nine victims wounded and the suspect with life-threatening injuries after police intervention. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. near Empire Pizza, a popular spot in a district known for its nightlife. Authorities believe the shooting began with a dispute between individuals known to each other, with bystanders caught in the gunfire.
Tucson resident Roxanne Brown expressed concern over the rising violence, stating, "Definitely it's not as safe as it used to be because I know there's all kinds of fighting happening." Anais Camacho, who has witnessed similar incidents in the area, described routinely warning her family to leave before the bars close due to predictable late-night disturbances often involving alcohol.
Empire Pizza released a statement noting that while two wounded individuals were on their patio, the shots originated from outside the establishment. The business commented on the downtown security, stating, "There is a stronger security presence guarding our bus station than any other business in downtown."
Democratic Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and former Rep. Gabby Giffords, a prominent gun control advocate, attributed the incident to insufficient gun safety laws. Romero stated, "Easy access to guns and Arizona’s weak gun safety laws have continued to put all of us at risk." She called for measures such as universal background checks, extreme risk laws, and funding for violence prevention programs. Giffords, whose organization gave Arizona an "F" rating on its annual gun law scorecard, lamented the state's lack of common gun laws, including universal background checks and red-flag laws.
In contrast, Republican Senate President Warren Petersen argued that the violence underscores the importance of the right to bear arms for self-defense. He stated, "As this tragedy reminds us, evil exists, which is why we remain steadfast in supporting law enforcement and the constitutional rights of law-abiding Arizonans to protect themselves and others."
All nine victims were stabilized and transported to the hospital. Pima County authorities are investigating the officer-involved shooting.