Gunman kills 2 at Arizona gay bar with other LGBTQ+ venues on apparent hit list

Two men were shot and killed outside a longtime gay bar in Tucson, Arizona, early Monday in what police are investigating as a hate crime. The suspected gunman was carrying a note listing several LGBTQ-associated businesses, and the city’s mayor says investigators determined he intended to cause more harm.

Tucson police responded around 12:30 a.m. to Venture-N, at 1239 North Sixth Avenue, after reports of gunfire, according to an official police release.

Officers found three men with gunshot wounds. Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, died at the scene. Police identified the suspected gunman as Ousman Ceesay, 44, who died at a hospital shortly afterward.

“Initial evidence suggests that the suspect confronted the victims in the parking lot,” police said. “After confronting Mr. Siqueiros and Mr. Capara, the suspect shot them.”

What investigators found afterward raised the possibility that the violence was not meant to end at Venture-N.

“The suspect was in possession of a note with several LGBTQIA+ associated businesses written on it,” police said. The department is investigating the killings as a hate crime.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero went further, saying investigators believe Ceesay intended additional violence.

“Tucson Police Department Investigators confirmed that the suspect possessed addresses for multiple LGBTQ+ friendly venues, intending to cause more harm,” Romero said in an Instagram statement.

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Romero called the shooting “a direct and devastating attack on our LGBTQ+ community.”

“This tragedy serves as yet another painful reminder that homophobia is still rampant in our country,” she said.

Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto said authorities have found no indication of an ongoing threat, but police have increased their presence around LGBTQ+ establishments.

“We recognize this incident may cause fear and pain within our community,” Prieto said. “The Tucson Police Department has dedicated increased police presence around LGBTQIA+ establishments and is coordinating with community organizations to provide support.”

The killings also reached Washington, D.C., on Monday, where Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona took to the House floor to mourn Siqueiros and Capara and demand congressional action.

“I’m disgusted by the targeted act of hate and the cold-blooded murder of two members of our LGBTQIA+ community,” Grijalva said. “This horrific attack is a painful reminder that even in welcoming communities like Tucson, hate and violence against our LGBTQIA+ community still exist.”

“When the hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly,” she added, calling on the House to pass gun safety legislation as lawmakers return to session.

Romero made a similar appeal, saying Arizona’s “weak gun safety laws continue to put all of us at risk.”