Two killed in the Tucson mass shooting

When police pulled up to the scene, the unidentified shooter rammed the police cruiser and began firing at the officer. The officer returned fire, striking the suspect

By Edward Era Barbacena

According to police, two American Medical Response EMTs were staged at the Quincy Douglas Center on a medical call. A man pulled up to the ambulance and opened fire on the EMT’s striking one 20-year-old EMT in the head and his partner, a 21-year-old in the chest and arm. The man then fled the scene in a silver SUV.

The man pulled up to an active structure fire near 2100 E. Irene Vista, where firefighters were actively working the fire. The man opened fire on the firefighters and bystanders nearby. A 17-year Tucson Fire Capitan was stuck in the arm and two bystanders were shot. One of the bystanders, who lived nearby was struck in the head and killed. The second bystander suffered a graze wound.

When police pulled up to the scene, the unidentified shooter rammed the police cruiser and began firing at the officer. The officer returned fire, striking the suspect.

After firefighters were able to return to the structure fire and get it under control, they discovered another body inside the home. Several children who are associated with the home are missing and police are asking for their whereabouts. Police have not said whether the shooter, who is in critical condition has connections to the home, or if the body that was discovered in the fire was connected to the shooter.

The 20-year old EMT is in critical condition and the other EMT is in stable condition.

City of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero released a statement in regards to the incident.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero

The statement is listed in its entirety below.

"I ask our entire Tucson community to join me in thinking about and praying for the victims of this afternoon’s fire and shooting by Silver lake Park, including first responders from AMR and the Tucson Fire Department. This was a horrific and senseless act of violence".

"Thank you to the men and women at Tucson Police, at Tucson Fire Dept and all of the first responders and neighbors who courageously responded to the scene, knowingly putting themselves in danger".

"I have spoken with both Chief Magnus and Chief Ryan and let them know that they have my full support with anything they need during this difficult time"

Children who live at the Tucson house that was the starting point of a series of violent attacks Sunday afternoon that left at least two people dead are OK, Tucson police said Monday morning.

The welfare of up to three children believed to live at the house in the 2100 block of East Irene Vista had been a concern for police since a body was found inside during a fire, Sgt. Richard Gradillas, a Tucson police spokesman, said Monday morning

Gradillas would not say where or when the children were found, nor would he provide any details about them.

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Tucson police Monday morning were still working the crime scenes: the house where a body was found and a neighbor was shot to death while trying to help put out the fire when he and firefighters came under fire; a parking lot where two paramedics were shot while in their rig; and a nearby street corner where a police officer critically wounded the suspected attacker in a gunfight.

The same 35-year-old man is suspected in all three attacks.

Details about the gunman or the many victims has not yet been released by police.

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said in a Monday morning Tweet that the TPD officer who ended the rampage after being rammed at shot at by the suspect showed "incredible adeptness and courage."

"Police, fire and EMS personnel can take nothing for granted in today's environment," Magnus said. "Situations can devolve rapidly and too many people are dangerously unpredictable & intent on doing serious harm. I appreciate all our first responders for taking the risks that come w/their jobs."

The Tucson Firefighters Association said in a Monday morning Facebook post that the fire captain who had been shot in the arm was "home resting and doing well."

The post went on to thank TPD for its quick actions in "neutralizing the threat," and asking for prayers for the injured EMTs and civilians.

Ambulance company American Medical Response posted a message on Facebook Sunday night, commenting on the attack on two of its employees.

"Earlier today, two of our Tucson EMTs were shot by a gunman as they were posted on an emergency call. At this point, one of them is in ICU with very critical injuries and another is awaiting surgery, with non-life-threatening but serious injuries. Officers, firefighters and civilians were also shot and we understand there are serious injuries and possibly casualties," the post said. "We are still getting details about this terrible situation, and at this point we would like to keep our team members’ names private so their families can tend to them. We will share information soon. Please pray with us, for all involved and for our team members who are fighting to recover from this senseless act."