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Arizona man charged with setting fire to a house in Tucson before embarking on a fatal shooting that left a neighbor dead and two first responders and a fire captain injured before a police officer succeeded neutralize the suspect and prevent further loss of life.
The suspect, identified as Leslie Stephen Scarlett, 35, was still hospitalized in extremely critical condition on Monday, Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus told a news conference. Investigators believe Scarlett first set fire to a house in the 2100 block of East Irene Vista at 3:46 p.m. Sunday.
A woman who lived there is presumed dead, as unidentified remains were found severely burned at the scene. Three children who also lived at the home have since been found safe with relatives.
“Mr. Scarlett has a criminal history that includes a six-year prison sentence for armed robbery. He also has a history of mental health issues,” Magnus said. “There are far too many individuals with violent criminal intentions and the means to injure and kill people. Too often, first responders, such as police, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel are targeted for reasons that are not clear.
“Is it a vendetta, the uniform, the authority it represents or just that the police, firefighters and EMS are on the ground responding to crises and dealing with deeply troubled people day in and day out?” continued the chief.
TUCSON DE TUCSON: 2 DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED, INCLUDING EMT STAFF NEAR THE HOUSE FIRE; MISSING CHILDREN
“The real question we should be asking ourselves is how do we coordinate the work of our criminal justice and mental health systems to prevent these terrible attacks? Who are these time bombs and is there anything we can do, working together rather than silos? to predict their level of risk? Magnus said. “How does someone like the suspect in this case, a prohibited possessor, even get a gun? There are many unanswered questions right now that need to be explored in the days to come. “
After setting the house on fire, Scarlett left the scene and headed for a nearby park, where he ambushed two rescuers who were standing in front of an America Medical Response ambulance parked at the Quincie Douglas Center to “an unrelated medical emergency,” Magnus said.
Leslie Stephen Scarlett pictured in a 2016 passport photo.
(Tucson Police Department)
A 20-year-old EMT who was shot in the head remained hospitalized in a potentially fatal condition at Barnard University Medical Center on Monday, Magnus said. Her 22-year-old EMT partner, who was shot in the chest and arm, remained hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
Scarlett returned to the scene of the house fire, where he then opened fire on firefighters, neighbors and “basically anyone who was trying to help,” Magnus said, adding that the suspect had shot a neighbor, identified as Cory, 44. Saunders, in the head. Saunders is survived by his 11-year-old son, who Magnus said witnessed the attack that killed his father.
A Tucson fire captain, who was shot in the arm, was treated and released and was recovering at his home on Monday. A second neighbor who was grazed in the head by a gunshot fired by the suspect “did not need further medical attention at the hospital,” Magnus said.
Scarlett then left the scene of the house fire a second time, before crashing into a police car responding to the incident, Magnus said. The driver, identified as Officer Danny Leon, an eight-year veteran of the Tucson Police Department, immediately got out and took cover. The suspect fired three shots at the officer, who retaliated, hitting Scarlett, Magnus said.
This photo posted to Facebook by the Tucson Police Department shows the scene of a house fire and deadly shooting on Sunday.
(Tucson Police Department)
Leon and other officers provided first aid to Scarlett. The ATF also dispatched personnel to the scene.
“His actions serve as a critical reminder of the role police play in protecting the public,” Magnus said of Leon. “His ability to switch from the use of lethal force to providing first aid is remarkable, but not unusual.”
Magnus broadcast to reporters at the press conference some of the audio from the fire department radio, as well as body camera footage taken by officers of the incident from Leon’s perspective.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero described how Leon “reacted immediately to the scene, knowing he would put himself in danger.”
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“Despite his crashed car and the shots fired directly at him, he showed incredible poise and bravery in neutralizing the threat,” she said. “His actions were heroic and probably saved lives.”
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Scarlett has a criminal history that includes a 2007 conviction for attempted armed robbery. He was sentenced to six years and was released in August 2013, the Associated Press reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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