TUCSON, Ariz. — Nine people were wounded in a shooting in downtown Tucson early Sunday before a police officer shot and critically wounded the suspected gunman, authorities said, prompting a large emergency response and the closure of several streets in the city's entertainment district.
The Tucson Police Department said officers on foot patrol heard gunfire near East Congress Street and Sixth Avenue at about 2 a.m. local time and immediately responded. Officers encountered a suspect, issued repeated commands and, after the individual failed to comply, one officer fired, according to police spokesperson Frank Magos.
Police said the suspect was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The nine shooting victims, all adults, were also hospitalized with critical gunshot wounds, which authorities said were primarily to their extremities.
Officials have not released the identities of the victims or the suspect, and no motive has been announced. Police said it was too early to determine what led to the shooting.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting under regional protocol, while the Tucson Police Department is conducting a separate internal review of the officer's actions.
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of officers being injured. Investigators urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video evidence to contact law enforcement.
Police closed portions of Congress Street and nearby intersections for several hours as investigators processed the scene. The investigation remained active at the time of publication, and officials said additional information would be released as it is confirmed.
