Ten people, including the suspected gunman, were injured after a mass shooting erupted in a busy commercial district near downtown Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of Sunday.
According to the Tucson Police Department, officers who were conducting routine foot patrol heard gunfire at about 2am local time and immediately rushed towards the scene. Gun violence continues to be a major public safety concern in the United States, with mass shootings remaining a recurring issue in several cities.
Police spokesperson Frank Magos said officers encountered the suspected shooter shortly after arriving and repeatedly ordered the individual to comply before opening fire.
The suspect sustained life-threatening injuries and was given first aid by officers at the scene before being transported to a local hospital.
Before police arrived, nine other adults had already been shot and were taken to hospital in critical condition. Many of the victims suffered gunshot wounds to their arms and legs. No police officers were injured during the incident.
Authorities have not officially confirmed what triggered the shooting. However, police said the violence broke out in a lively area where large crowds had gathered during the night.
Local broadcaster KGUN-TV, citing police sources, reported that the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between two groups who were known to each other, with several bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the suspect opened fire recklessly in a crowded area before being stopped by a police officer.
“All victims were stabilised and taken to hospital, and we remain hopeful they will all recover,” she said.
The latest incident brings the number of mass shootings recorded in the United States this year to 257, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people are injured or killed by gunfire.
