At least 10 people were injured in a shooting in Tucson, Arizona, local authorities said. Police confirmed that the suspected gunman was also among the injured, and that the investigation remains ongoing.
According to the Tucson Police Department, the shooting occurred at around 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, as large crowds had gathered in a busy area near a shopping center in downtown Tucson. Patrol officers responded to the scene after hearing gunfire.
Police said officers encountered the suspected gunman at the scene, but he failed to comply with their commands. During the confrontation, one officer opened fire on the suspect. Authorities said the suspect was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Police added that the other nine victims had already been shot before officers arrived. All of the injured are adults, and no police officers were hurt during the incident.
Authorities have not yet identified the suspect or determined a motive for the shooting. However, a local television station, citing police sources, reported that the violence stemmed from a confrontation between two groups who were known to each other. Several bystanders with no connection to the dispute were also struck by gunfire.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, at least 257 mass shootings have been recorded in the United States since the beginning of this year. The organization defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot or killed, excluding the shooter.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
