A 44-year-old Gambian immigrant who recently moved to Tucson fatally shot two men outside a longtime gay bar early Monday, then died of his own gunshot wounds in what police are investigating as a hate-crime murder-suicide, local outlets reported.
KOLD News 13 first reported that authorities said the triple-fatal shooting in the parking lot of Venture-N, near Sixth Avenue and Speedway, was likely a hate crime and a double murder-suicide. Tucson police identified the suspect as Ousman Ceesay, 44. Officers said he was carrying a list of LGBTQ+ businesses.
According to KOLD, police believe Ceesay went to the bar around 12:30 a.m. Aug. 31 and got into an argument in the parking lot with Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33.
Ceesay shot both men, who died at the scene. He was injured and taken to a hospital, where he died. KOLD reported Ceesay does not appear to have a criminal record in Pima County and has not spent time in Arizona’s state prison system.
Sources close to the investigation told KVOA that Ceesay was originally from The Gambia, had come to Tucson about a month earlier from Oklahoma, and took his own life after the shooting. A search of his home turned up additional locations, those sources said. Police have said there is no known active threat to the wider community.
Investigators said initial evidence shows Ceesay confronted the two patrons before opening fire. Chief Monica Prieto called bias-based crimes “especially heinous” and said officers were increasing patrols around LGBTQIA+ businesses.
Dozens of community members left candles and flowers at Venture-N. Scott Blades, a member of the LGBTQ community, called the shooting “senseless” and “tragic,” saying the bar has long been a gathering place. Colete Barajas, who opened Tucson’s first women’s bar in 1983, said she was “overcome by sadness” and nervous after learning of the list found with the gunman.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said the attack appeared isolated because all known suspects are dead, so prosecution is unlikely. Board of Supervisors Chair Jen Allen called the killings “senseless and shocking” and said there is no place for hate in Pima County.
