Arizona's political leaders are mourning after a mass shooting in downtown Tucson left nine people injured and a suspect in critical condition early Sunday morning.
Around 2 a.m., Tucson police officers already in the area heard gunshots near 6th Avenue and Congress Street and immediately responded.
AzFamily reported that they found a suspect fleeing the scene, and an officer opened fire, striking him. The suspect was taken into custody and given first aid before being transported to a hospital in life-threatening condition.
The nine other victims suffered critical gunshot wounds to their arms and legs, though authorities expressed hope that all would survive.
Witnesses described a tense situation that escalated quickly. One woman said she was at a nearby pizza shop with her family when she noticed someone lift their shirt in a way that alarmed her.
"He lifted his shirt up and I didn't even see the gun, but I knew what that meant," she said. She grabbed her cousin and ran, and shots rang out moments later.
Arizona's Response
Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) expressed sympathy for the victims while praising first responders.
"The victims of last night's senseless shooting were enjoying a night out in the city — they didn't deserve to experience this violence," he wrote. "Thank you to the officers and first responders who ran toward the danger. Your courage saved lives."
As this happened within her district, congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) had taken a moment to call for legislative action. "A night out should never end in bloodshed," she wrote, adding that Congress has "failed for far too long to act while communities continue to bear the devastating cost of gun violence."
Additionally, Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) said she was heartbroken by the shooting. "No Arizonan should have to fear gun violence in their community," she wrote, expressing gratitude to Tucson police officers whose quick response prevented further tragedy.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero (D-AZ) echoed those calls, citing what she described as easy access to guns and weak gun safety laws as contributing factors, and calling on lawmakers to pursue universal background checks and other reforms.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
