Leslie Scarlett identified as suspect in mass shooting, house fire in Tucson

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – The suspect in the Tucson mass shootings and house fire, which left at least two dead, has been identified as Leslie Stephen Scarlett.

Authorities said 35-year-old Scarlett is in extremely critical condition at a local hospital. If he is released, he faces a number of charges.

According to the Arizona Department of Justice, Scarlett has a criminal record that includes a 2007 conviction of attempted armed robbery. He was sentenced to six years in prison and released in August 2013.

The incident on Sunday began at 3:45 p.m. with a call about a house fire near South Campbell Avenue and East Irene Vista

At the same time, Scarlett allegedly went to the Quincie Douglas Center in Silverlake Park and shot an ambulance standing by as a backup for an unrelated medical call.

A 20-year-old paramedic was shot in the head and taken to the hospital in critical condition. Another paramedic, a 21 year old, was shot in the arm and chest and was stable.

Magnus said the 21-year-old EMT was able to call for help and describe Scarlett and his vehicle, a silver SUV.

Several Tucson Fire Department vehicles arrived at the house fire and, with the help of neighbors, began to fight the fire.

Scarlett is said to have returned to the house and shot firefighters and neighbors.

One of the neighbors, 44-year-old Corey Michael Saunders, was hit in the head and died. Magnus said Saunders’ young son witnessed the shooting.

Another neighbor was grazed and remained unharmed.

A fire chief, a 17 year old TFD veteran, was hit in the arm. TFD boss Chuck Ryan said the captain was discharged from the hospital Sunday night.

The radio traffic of the emergency calls during the incident can be heard below and HERE.

“We are shocked and saddened by this pointless act and pray for our injured partners at AMR Ambulance,” wrote Ryan on Twitter. “I’m also grateful for the swift action taken by our #TucsonPolice to neutralize the threat to the community. More to come, but a dark day for Tucson. “

Magnus said Scarlett drove away in the silver SUV and disabled a TPD cruiser by ramming it near the intersection of East 36th Street and South Campbell Avenue.

Scarlett reportedly shot TPD officer Danny Leon when Leon got out of his vehicle. Leon, an eight year veteran, shot back and stopped Scarlett.

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: The video of the Scarlett and Leon confrontation is shown below. The video contains graphic content.

Three children who lived in the house were not found Sunday night, but the TPD said they were safe on Monday morning. Magnus said the mother of the three children was missing and believed to be dead.

A body was recovered from the house, but it was too cremated to determine the age or sex of the victim.

“This is a truly terrible incident and our hearts are obviously with those who are concerned for loved ones with more severe injuries. We just don’t know, ”said Magnus.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

The survivors of the murder announced that they would hold a vigil for the victims of the mass shootings on Wednesday.

The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the MSA Annex, 267 South Avenida del Convento. It’s near West Cushing Street and South Linda Avenue.

Survivors of the murder said it will provide candles and ribbons and lawyers will be on hand to provide services to anyone who needs them.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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