Two men were murdered outside an Arizona gay bar in what police are investigating as a hate crime, with the suspected gunman also found dead.
Ousman Ceesay, 44, has been named as the suspect who opened fire at the Venture-N bar in Tucson just after midnight on Monday, taking the lives of two patrons identified as Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, according to the Tucson Police Department.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting in the early hours and located the three men with gunshot trauma.
The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene and the man believed to be the shooter was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died.
Police believe the shooter confronted the victims in the parking lot before shooting them. Detectives found a note on Ceesay with several LGBTQ+ businesses written on it and are investigating the shooting as a hate crime.
Authorities do not believe there is a threat to the community, but Chief of Police Monica Prieto said officers will enhance their presence at LGBTQ+ establishments in the wake of the tragedy.
‘Bias-based crimes are especially heinous and have no place in our community,’ Prieto said in a statement.
‘Tucson is, and always has been, a diverse community where people of different backgrounds, identities and experiences call this city home.’
A shooting unfolded in the parking lot of the Venture-N bar in Tucson, Arizona, just after midnight on Monday
The victims were identified as Vincent Siquieros and Cameron Capara. Community members put together a vigil for them outside the LGBTQ+ bar
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said that since the suspect is dead, it is unlikely that a prosecution will follow.
She added that the Tucson Police Department will still continue to investigate what appeared to be a ‘hate-fueled attack.’
‘Our LGBTQ+ community feels under attack upon awakening to the disturbing news of what occurred overnight outside what is normally a welcome and safe environment,’ Conover said.
‘No one should fear being targeted simply because of who they are and where they gather. I speak in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community.’
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called the attack a ‘senseless act of gun violence,’ serving as ‘yet another painful reminder that homophobia is still rampant in our country.’
Amanda Kate Marquez, Siqueiros’s sister, told the New York Times that her brother was the’funniest, sweetest, most loving human we have ever known.’
She added that he was one of four children, worked as a restaurant server and was beloved by his nieces and nephews.
‘There’s a gigantic gap in all of our hearts that can never be filled,’ Marquez added.
Vincent Siquieros was described as the ‘funniest, sweetest, most loving human’ by his sister
Cameron Davis Capara was described as a ‘wonderful and caring person’ who loved photography by his mother
Siqueiros’ sister said he worked as a restaurant server and was beloved by his nieces and nephews
Berni Capara, Capara’s mother, told the Times that her son was a ‘wonderful and caring person’ who was nonjudgmental and loved photography.
‘That somebody would kill him for being gay is just outrageous,’ she added.
Capara’s friend, Haley Mariscal, praised his photography and said: ‘He could put a smile on your face if you were having a bad day,’ adding that he was ‘so happy.’
The New York City LGBTQ+ Center wrote online that their members stand with those grieving in Tucson.
‘We are witnessing a historic rise in transphobia and homophobia. It’s been 56 years since the Stonewall riots and 10 years since the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub,’ the center said.
‘LGBTQ+ spaces are sacred to our community for connection, healing, and organizing.’
The shooting has prompted safety concerns throughout the LGBTQ+ community. Pictured above is a vigil for the victims outside Venture-N
Community members gathered outside the LGBTQ+ bar after the fatal shooting to honor the two victims. Siqueiros and Capara were found outside the bar with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene
Mary O’Donoghue, the executive director of Southern Arizona Senior Pride, said the shooting broke a sense of safety for the LGBTQ+ community in the city.
‘When this happens, it’s the realization of how fragile that sense of safety is, and just the whole rippling effect,’ she said.
O’Donoghue, who organizes events for seniors in the gay community, said Southern Arizona Senior Pride has now been forced to reconsider how they can make their events safe.
‘Older LGBTQ folks have a history of having experienced this level of uncertainty, of fear, of needing to maybe watch themselves, be less visible, and it certainly triggers all of that lived experience,’ she said.
