Downtown Tucson business speaks out about safety in the area after mass shooting

Two of the nine people critically injured in Sunday morning’s downtown Tucson shooting were on Empire Pizza’s patio at 137 E. Congress when gunfire came from outside. The restaurant said it has operated downtown for 16 years and is heartbroken by what the area has become.

Empire criticized the city’s investment in downtown safety, pointing to concerns including limited police presence, panhandling, public urination and defecation, open-air drug use and graffiti. The business also said the Ronstadt Transit Center has a stronger security presence than nearby businesses.

The shooting began around 2 a.m. during a confrontation between two groups. A Tucson police officer who was patrolling nearby ran to the scene and shot a suspect who was seen fleeing. The suspect and the victims were taken to a hospital, and no officers were injured.

Empire also praised two officers for arriving within about a minute and providing first aid while gunfire was still a danger. Road closures at the scene kept several downtown businesses from operating Sunday.