Staff Reports
A downtown Tucson shooting left nine people wounded and a suspect in life‑threatening condition after officers shot him while he fled the scene. Authorities have now identified and charged 21‑year‑old David Leroy French, activated the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team to investigate the officer‑involved shooting, and announced a parallel internal review by Tucson Police. City leaders used the tragedy to call for new gun laws — and police and prosecutors warned that investigations are ongoing.
What happened in downtown Tucson
According to investigators, the violence followed a confrontation “between two groups” in a busy entertainment area on Congress Street near 6th Avenue. Gunfire broke out, nine people were struck — mostly in arms and legs — and were taken to hospitals. Witnesses and surveillance footage are being collected as detectives try to piece together motive and sequence. During the police response an officer saw a man running from the scene, gave commands that were ignored, and shot the suspect, who was later identified as David Leroy French and faces multiple counts tied to the attack.
Investigations activated and officers’ actions
The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team is leading the criminal probe, while the Pima County Sheriff’s Department heads the officer‑involved investigation and Tucson Police conduct an internal review. Chief of Police Monica Prieto has said officers rendered trauma first aid at the scene, and Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said prosecutors and victim services are working with the injured. Sheriff Chris Nanos’ offices will handle the heavier lift on the officer shooting review — that’s standard procedure when a police shooting happens.
Politics, prior convictions, and the predictable debate
Mayor Regina Romero called the shooting “reckless” and used the moment to call again for broader gun‑safety measures. That is the usual playbook: every time someone does the wrong thing with a gun, politicians reach for new laws that law‑abiding citizens already obey. It’s worth noting the suspect reportedly has a prior aggravated‑assault conviction. If true, this is less a problem of missing laws and more a problem of poor enforcement, weak consequences, and a revolving door for violent offenders.
What should change now
We should support the officers who stopped the carnage, demand a full and transparent investigation, and push prosecutors to use the tools they already have to keep violent people off the street. If city leaders want to prevent future attacks, they should focus on enforcing existing laws, improving casework and supervision of known violent offenders, and backing public‑safety measures that actually help victims. Passing more laws that chase headlines won’t do squat if repeat offenders keep walking free — and the people of Tucson deserve better than speeches.
