Tucson police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with a shooting that left nine people injured in the city's downtown nightlife district early Sunday morning.
The suspect, identified as David Leroy French, has been charged with nine counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, nine counts of aggravated assault causing serious physical injury, and one count of discharging a firearm at a structure.
The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. in the 100 block of East Congress Street, a busy area lined with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
According to police, the gunfire followed a verbal altercation. Investigators identified French as the shooter after reviewing surveillance footage.
Officers patrolling nearby heard the shots and rushed to the scene on foot. They saw the suspect running from the area and repeatedly ordered him to stop.
After he allegedly ignored their commands, a uniformed officer fired his weapon and struck the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody and given first aid before being transported to a hospital in life-threatening condition.
Nine other people were shot and taken to local hospitals. Most were wounded in the arms or legs, but no deaths were reported, and no officers were injured.
The suspect is currently being held in the Pima County Adult Detention Complex, pending additional charges.
