Tucson, AZ – Multiple people were shot – including an ambulance crew – during an incident that left two people dead and several children missing in multiple locations in Tucson on Sunday.
The incident began at about 3:45 p.m. on July 18 when the Tucson Fire Department (TFD) got a call about a house fire in the 2100-block of East Irene Vista, KGUN reported.
Ambulances began staging at nearby Quincie Douglas Park at about the same time to assist with the house fire and found themselves under fire, KOLD reported.
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said that shortly after an ambulance arrived at the park, a man in a silver SUV approached and began shooting at the driver’s side, KGUN reported.
Chief Magnus said the ambulance’s driver was shot in the head and the passenger was shot in the arm and chest.
The chief said one of the EMTs was able to radio for help and give a description of the suspect vehicle, KGUN reported.
He said both EMTs were transported to the hospital.
The 20-year-old EMT who was behind the wheel was in critical condition, KGUN reported.
Chief Magnus said the other EMT – a 21-year-old woman – was stable at the hospital.
In the meantime, the fire department had responded to the house fire on East Irene Vista, KGUN reported.
Multiple TFD trucks were on the scene and neighbors were trying to assist when the silver SUV suspected of shooting at the ambulance at the park rolled up and opened fire.
A fire captain was shot in the arm and survived, KGUN reported.
A 44-year-old neighbor was fatally shot in the head.
Another neighbor sustained a graze wound to his head but was in good condition afterwards, KGUN reported.
Police said someone else died in the fire but investigators had not yet determined the victim’s age or gender.
Chief Magnus said that “either two or three” children associated with the house that had burned were missing, KGUN reported.
The police chief said officers were reaching out to friends, family, and neighbors who might have taken in the kids when the fire erupted.
Shortly after the shootings at the house fire, a police officer spotted the suspect vehicle at an intersection of Campbell Avenue and Irene Vista, KGUN reported.
Chief Magnus said that suspect tried to ram the officer’s vehicle and a gunfight ensued.
He said the 35-year-old suspect was struck by gunfire and was in critical condition at the hospital, KGUN reported.
The police chief said the officer who shot the suspect was an eight-year veteran of the police force.
It wasn’t known what motivated any of the attacks, the Associated Press reported.
BREAKING:
-40-year-old south side neighbor dead
-Unidentified body dead in house fire
-20-year-old AMR EMT in critical condition
-21-year-old AMR EMT in stable condition
-Suspect 35-year-old male in critical condition.
Tucson Police are also searching for 2 to 3 children. pic.twitter.com/yfeRGUb2OE— Denelle Confair (@DenelleConfair) July 19, 2021
“This is a highly tragic, really horrific incident, with many unknowns,” Chief Magnus told reporters at the scene.
TFD Chief Chuck Ryan said the fire captain who was shot was released from the hospital on Sunday night, KOLD reported.
“We are shocked and saddened at this senseless act, and we are praying for our injured partners from AMR Ambulance,” Ryan tweeted. “Also, I am thankful for the swift actions of our #TucsonPolice to neutralize the threat to the community. More to come, but a dark day for Tucson.”
More details to follow when they become available. pic.twitter.com/MvBHvz4TOV
— Sergeant Richard Gradillas (@SgtGradillas) July 19, 2021
The investigation was ongoing, the Associated Press reported.
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Holly Matkin
