By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The police officer who stopped the mass shooting suspect in downtown Tucson has been identified.
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On Wednesday, July 29, the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team identified the hero officer as Tanner Wolverton, a seven-year veteran of the Tucson Police Department.
The mass shooting happened in downtown Tucson around 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.
The TPD has said 21-year-old David Leroy French opened fire during a fight near Empire Pizza, hitting nine people. All of the victims are expected to survive.
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PRCIT said Wolverton was one of several officers working patrol in the area, and responded after hearing gunfire.
While some officers tended to the wounded, Wolverton spotted French running from the scene and told him to stop and drop his weapon.
French ignored Wolverton’s orders and was shot.
French was taken into custody, and officers began rendering first aid. He was taken to a local hospital, where he remains.
Once released, French will be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex on nine counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, nine counts of aggravated assault serious injury, and one count of discharging a firearm at a structure.
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French, who will likely face additional charges, is being held without bond.
PRCIT is handling the criminal investigation, led by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The TPD will conduct a separate investigation, more to determine if the officers involved followed proper protocol.
According to court records, French had a prior conviction of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
French was accused of pointing a rifle at a man in October 2024. He allegedly shot once, but the victim was not hit. He admitted that he was at the location, but did not remember shooting at anyone.
He eventually reached a plea deal and was sentenced to four years of probation that was set to begin May 12, 2025. He will also face charges of violating that probation in the coming weeks.
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