By admin TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Empire Pizza is speaking out less than three days after a shooting left nine people injured outside its downtown location, calling on local politicians to shift their focus from gun control to public safety.
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In an Instagram post shared Monday night, the restaurant said it was “disheartened to see the focus of this tragedy shift to gun control,” claiming that approach has “zero applicability” to what has been happening downtown. The business said two victims were sitting on its patio at the time of the shooting.
21-year-old David French has been arrested and is accused of shooting the nine people early Sunday morning South 6th Avenue and Congress Street.
Empire Pizza cites crime, drug use downtown
In its post, Empire Pizza said safety downtown has decreased over the years and that thefts and drug use have increased. The business said the real issues are crimes not being prosecuted, open drug use in public restrooms, and a lack of maintenance on downtown Tucson’s streets. The restaurant, which has operated in Tucson for more than 16 years, said it broke their hearts to see what downtown has become.
Empire Pizza declined an interview and said everything it wants to say is on its social media platform.
Mayor responds to business’s claims
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said she understands why the business is upset but said efforts to address drug use and gun violence are separate issues.
“I truly believe that it is easy access to guns that really allowed for this situation that happened early Sunday morning at his business,” Romero said.
Romero said the city has had additional officers stationed downtown on weekends since 2021, which she said allowed a quick response from the Tucson Police Department after the suspect opened fire Sunday. She said the city has also directed funds toward TPD for its Safe City deployments, programs to address homelessness, and revitalization efforts including the Downtown Tucson Partnership.
“Homicides are 19% down, gun violence is down in our city, and so the work that we’re doing with our safe city initiative, with our gun violence interruption and reduction programs are working,” Romero said.
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New pilot program discussed at city study session
During a city study session Tuesday, officials discussed a new pilot program designed to increase enforcement and prosecution of drug-related crimes. The program intends to identify repeat offenders of criminal misdemeanors and improve consistency of charges with the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
Empire Pizza said in its post there is still not enough being done to prosecute criminals.
Romero said she empathizes with the business’s frustration but said the city’s efforts are ongoing.
“I can understand why a business owner where a shooting happened is frustrated and mad, but for the business to say that we’re not doing anything, that is absolutely untrue,” Romero said.
Romero posted a video to social media Tuesday evening saying the safety of residents is her top priority.
You can watch that video below.
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