Tucson Police Probe Gay Bar Shooting as a Hate Crime After Two Killed

TUCSON, Ariz. — Two men were killed in the parking lot of a longtime Tucson gay bar early Monday morning, and police are investigating the shooting as a hate crime after the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, were shot in the parking lot of Venture-N shortly after 12:30 a.m. Monday, the Tucson Police Department said. Both victims died at the scene.

The suspect, identified as Ousman Ceesay, 44, also suffered a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The department later confirmed Ceesay died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators said initial evidence suggests Ceesay confronted the two victims in the parking lot before shooting them. All shell casings at the scene came from the same firearm, a 9mm handgun recovered at the scene, police said.

Detectives who executed a search warrant at Ceesay's home found a note indicating he had acted alone and that the shooting was a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQIA+ community, police said. Officers said a review of video footage showed Ceesay did not attempt to enter the bar during the shooting.

Police said Ceesay had recently arrived in the Tucson area and had no prior connection to the victims. He had no prior contact with police in Tucson and was not legally barred from owning a firearm.

"There is no known active threat to the community," the department said. Officers have increased their presence around other LGBTQIA+ businesses in the area and have contacted each business on the list found in Ceesay's home.

Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto said bias-based crimes "are especially heinous and have no place in our community." She added that investigators are pursuing all available leads to establish the full circumstances of the shooting.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called the shooting "a direct and devastating attack on our LGBTQ+ community." She said the incident "serves as yet another painful reminder that homophobia is still rampant in our country."

Community groups have planned a candlelight vigil in honor of Siqueiros and Capara at Catalina Park at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. PFLAG Phoenix, Southern Arizona Senior Pride, Tucson Queerstory and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation are among the organizations involved.

"Venture-N has been a safe haven, a sanctuary, and a place of comfort for Tucson's queer community for decades," PFLAG Phoenix wrote in a social media post.

Mary O'Donoghue, executive director of Southern Arizona Senior Pride, said the shooting has damaged the sense of safety many in the community had. She said some older members of the community, some of whom are in their 70s and 80s, have relived traumatic memories from past attacks on LGBTQIA+ venues.

Anyone with information about the shooting, including doorbell or security camera footage near the scene, is urged to contact 911 or 88-CRIME to remain anonymous.