PCAO: Officer who stopped mass shooting in Tucson won’t face charges | Arizona News

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – The Tucson policeman who shot mass shooting suspect Leslie Stephen Scarlett is not charged. Dan South, chief of the Pima County District Attorney’s Department of Criminal Investigation, said officer Danny Leon’s actions were conducted under state law and the shooting was warranted.

Scarlett, 35, died on July 21, three days after an alleged crime that killed three people and injured several others. According to Tucson Police, the incident began on July 18 when Scarlett fatally shot and killed his fiancée Jennifer Fells and set fire to a house near South Campbell Avenue and East Irene Vista.

Afterward, Scarlett went to Silverlake Park and allegedly shot and killed two paramedics who were there for an independent call. Jacob Didinger, 20, was shot in the head and died on July 29th. Cassandra Moreno, 21, was hit in the arm and chest but survived. She could call the police, give Scarlett’s description, and help Didinger.

EMT shot in the head died during mass shooting in Tucson

Scarlett then returned to the house and allegedly opened fire on the crews fighting the house fire as well as the Good Samaritans trying to put out the flames. A Tucson Fire Department captain was injured in the shootings but is reported to be making a full recovery. His name was not disclosed to the public.

Suspect dies in fatal rampage in Tucson

Cory Michael Saunders, 44, was one of two neighbors who tried to help the firefighters put out the fire. Saunders was shot in the head after an argument with Scarlett and died on the scene, according to Tucson police. Saunders’ young son witnessed the shooting. Another neighbor, who was not named, also tried to help the crews put out the fire. He was grazed by a bullet but otherwise uninjured.

Officials said Scarlett escaped the scene and rammed Leon’s vehicle at the intersection of East 36th Street and South Campbell Avenue. Scarlett got out of his vehicle and started shooting Leon, an eight-year veteran of the division. Leon shot back, hit Scarlett in the head, and ended the threat.

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