Key facts
- Three people were killed in a shooting outside Venture-N, a gay bar in Tucson, Arizona.
- The suspect, Ousman Ceesay, died from his injuries after the incident.
- Police are investigating the shooting as a hate crime due to evidence including a note with LGBTQIA+ associated businesses.
- Victims were identified as Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara.
Tucson police are investigating a shooting outside a gay bar that resulted in three deaths as a potential hate crime. The incident occurred early Monday morning in the parking lot of Venture-N. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, allegedly shot and killed Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, before succumbing to his own gunshot wounds at a local hospital.
According to police, initial evidence suggests Ceesay confronted the victims before opening fire. A note containing a list of LGBTQIA+ associated businesses was found in the suspect's possession, prompting the hate crime investigation. Police stated there is no active threat to the community.
Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto acknowledged the incident could cause fear and pain, emphasizing the city's diversity and commitment to safety for all residents. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero condemned the shooting as a "direct and devastating attack on our LGBTQ+ community" and a "senseless act of gun violence," linking it to rampant homophobia and inadequate gun safety laws in Arizona.
Friends of the victims shared their grief. Peter Loya, a patron of Venture-N, described Siqueiros as a thoughtful and considerate person. Drew Fellows, a friend of Capara, remembered him as a "revolutionary" photographer with a "people-first mentality" who fought for a better future.