Shooting outside Tucson gay bar leaves three dead

A shooting in the parking lot of Venture-N, a longtime gay bar near downtown Tucson, left three people dead early Monday morning, according to police. Authorities identified the victims as Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, both of whom were shot shortly after midnight and died at the scene. The suspect, 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Tucson police said Ceesay confronted Siqueiros and Capara in the bar's parking lot before fatally shooting them, based on initial evidence. Investigators did not say whether Ceesay knew the victims. The department declined to release details about Ceesay's manner of death beyond confirming he had a gunshot wound, with public information officer James Horton saying investigators were awaiting details from the medical examiner.

Hate crime investigation

The Tucson Police Department announced it is investigating the shooting as a hate crime. According to a police news release, Ceesay was carrying a note that listed several LGBTQIA+-associated businesses. The department said there is no known active threat to the community.

Police Chief Monica Prieto said in a statement: "Bias-based crimes are especially heinous and have no place in our community. Our investigators are thoroughly examining the evidence and pursuing all available leads as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident." In an earlier statement, Prieto acknowledged the incident "may cause fear and pain within our community," while emphasizing Tucson as "a diverse community where people of different backgrounds, identities and experiences call this city home."

In response to the shooting, the department increased its police presence around gay-friendly businesses in the region, Chief Prieto said.

Community response and memorials

Community members placed candles, flowers, and photos outside Venture-N on Tuesday as a memorial to the two victims. Community groups including Tucson Queerstory, Southern Arizona Senior Pride, and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation planned a candlelight vigil for Wednesday night at a local park. The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation also said it would hold an event Wednesday to honor the victims.

PFLAG Phoenix wrote: "Venture-N has been a safe haven, a sanctuary, and a place of comfort for Tucson's queer community for decades." The group's statement reflected sentiments expressed by community members who described the bar as a central gathering place. One LGBTQ community member, Scott Blades, told CNN-affiliate KOLD: "It's just heartbreaking. Such a senseless, tragic shooting. This is a real important community gathering spot, and it's always been a safe place for people to come."

Colette Barajas, a longtime member of the LGBTQ community who displays a rainbow flag outside her business and home, told KOLD: "I'm nervous, you know, I've got my flag out there." Blades added: "We'll keep finding ways to create that community and find ways to create safety for ourselves and for each other. That's all we can do."

Officials and advocates speak out

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called the shooting "a direct and devastating attack on our LGBTQ+ community, another senseless act of gun violence," and said in a video message that the tragedy "serves as yet another painful reminder that homophobia is still rampant in our country."

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said in a statement: "I speak in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community."

Friends of the victims shared remembrances. Tucson resident Peter Loya, who frequents Venture-N, told the Tucson Sentinel he had known Siqueiros for about 20 years, describing him as "always just been a thoughtful, considerate person, always looking for the best in people." Drew Fellows, a friend of Capara, described him as a "revolutionary" photographer who was "always with a people-first mentality."

The shooting has stirred memories of other fatal attacks on LGBTQ communities, including July's Berlin Pride attack and the 2022 Colorado Springs nightclub shooting. NYC Pride noted that June 12 marked the 10th anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, which killed 49 people and wounded 53 others. The group wrote on Instagram: "Our bars, clubs, and local gathering spots are meant to be safe spaces for our community."

The police investigation remains ongoing.