21-Year-Old David Leroy French Faces 19 Felony Charges After Nine Wounded Outside Empire Pizza
A violent mass shooting in downtown Tucson that left nine people wounded early Sunday morning has taken a sharp turn as court records reveal the 21-year-old suspect was already serving a four-year probation sentence for a prior violent felony. The suspect, David Leroy French, is currently in custody facing 19 felony charges following the outbreak of gunfire outside Empire Pizza.
According to an interim complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court, uniformed Tucson police officers stationed in the downtown district heard multiple gunshots ring out at approximately 1:59 a.m. on Sunday, July 19. Court documents note that officers responded immediately after what the charging complaint officially describes as a "verbal altercation" occurring outside the venue. Surveillance video recovered from nearby commercial establishments shows French discharging multiple rounds directly into a crowd of people gathered outside the restaurant.
As French attempted to flee the scene on foot, a responding Tucson police officer engaged the suspect and opened fire after French reportedly ignored commands to stop. French was struck by police gunfire, taken into custody, and rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Nine adult victims were struck by bullets during the incident, with several initially transported in critical condition. Local victim advocates reported to authorities that they are "hopeful all nine will survive" their injuries, and no fatalities have been reported as of Monday. Because an officer discharged a firearm during the apprehension, the incident is also undergoing a parallel review by the Pima County Attorney's Office as an officer-involved shooting.
French now faces 19 total felony counts, including nine counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, nine counts of aggravated assault causing serious physical injury, and one count of discharging a firearm at a structure. Prosecutors filed an interim complaint recommending a high bond, and jail records show French remains held at the Pima County Adult Detention Center while awaiting formal judicial proceedings.
Pima County Superior Court records reviewed by reporters confirm that French was actively serving a four-year supervised probation sentence at the time of the downtown shooting. In April 2025, French pleaded guilty to a class 3 felony count of "aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument" stemming from an October 2024 incident. During his May 2025 sentencing, Judge J. Alan Goodwin suspended the imposition of a prison sentence and placed French on four years of supervised probation running through May 2029. In granting probation, court records show the judge explicitly cited French's "youth, acceptance of responsibility, remorse and lack of criminal history" as mitigating factors, designating the charge as non-dangerous while a related charge was dismissed.
The breaking developments were originally published by the Tucson Daily Brief, with ongoing updates and commentary shared by Collin Rugg via X.
While law enforcement officials point to the rapid officer response as key to stopping further harm, legal observers and judicial accountability advocates view the case through a far more critical lens.
On the other hand, criminal justice critics and public safety advocates argue that lenient sentencing policies and judicial discretion often put communities at risk by returning violent offenders to the streets prematurely. Skeptics point out that granting probation to an individual previously convicted of a felony involving a deadly weapon creates a preventable hazard for the public. From this critical perspective, substituting prison time with supervised probation in cases involving violent offenses reflects systemic flaws in judicial decision-making, where mitigating factors like youth or remorse are prioritized over community safety and strict deterrence.
The charges filed against French in the downtown shooting remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Case proceedings in Justice Court will determine the scheduling for his initial appearance and transfer to Superior Court.
THE QUICK BREAKDOWN
- The Incident: 21-year-old David Leroy French was charged with 19 felonies after opening fire into a crowd, wounding nine people outside Empire Pizza in downtown Tucson.
- The Location: Outside Empire Pizza, downtown Tucson, Arizona.
- The Outcome: Nine adult victims were hospitalized; French was shot by a responding officer, hospitalized, and remains in custody on probation for a 2024 violent felony.
- The Sources: Originally reported by the Tucson Daily Brief and shared by Collin Rugg via X.
- Current Status: French remains held at Pima County Adult Detention Center awaiting his initial court appearance while the shooting and officer-involved shooting undergo review.