UPDATE: The Tucson Police Department reports that the children associated with the home that caught fire have been located alive and are well.
Tucson first responders were shot on south side of town on Sunday evening. According to Tucson Police Chief Chris Magness, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Tucson Fire personnel responded to a structure fire located in the 2100 block of E. Irene Vista. At approximately the same time, an ambulance was at Quincie Douglas Center, located at 1575 E. 36th St. near South Kino Parkway, in response to a completely unrelated medical call.
A male, identified only as a 35-year-old, arrived at the Center in a silver SUV. He exited his vehicle and approached the ambulance and opened fire on the ambulance through the driver side window. He struck the driver, an EMT, in the head and the passenger, also an EMT, in the arm and chest.
One of the EMTs in that rig, according to the Chief, was able to call for emergency assistance and provide a description of the suspect, who fled the scene.
The EMT who was struck in the head, age 20, is an extremely critical condition at Banner Hospital. The EMT who was sitting on the passenger side, age 21, is in stable condition.
Shortly after, the suspect arrived on the Irene Vista scene at about the same time multiple fire units arrived. The Chief said there were also a couple of neighbors from somewhere around the block, who are also trying to be of help.
The suspect opened fire on the fire personnel and the neighbors. The Fire Department called for emergency police assistance, stating that they were being shot at.
One of the firefighters was struck in the arm and is in good condition and one of the neighbors, later identified as a 44-year-old man, was shot in the head. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Another neighbor’s head was grazed by a bullet but the Chief described him as being “okay.”
As police officers arrives on the scene, one of them saw the suspect vehicle and the suspect saw the officer. The suspect proceeded to ram the patrol car, disabling it. The police car officer got out the vehicle and the suspect opened fire on the officer. The officer returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect was taken to the hospital.
Investigators found a badly burned body inside the Irene Vista home.
Currently police are looking for two or three children known to be associated with the home.