An investigator working at the scene of the shooting Saturday night. (Samantha M. Sais/NYTI)
Two men were shot outside a South Tucson homeless shelter Saturday night, the South Tucson Police said.
The men were shot at 8:51 p.m. in front of the Gospel Rescue Mission’s men’s shelter at 312 West 28th St. by a man who got out of a dark SUV, witnesses said and police confirmed. One man was shot in the stomach and the other in the wrist, Detective Bryce Gardner said. He added that the man shot in the stomach may be transferred to either University Medical Center or St. Mary’s Hospital.
Edward Shelby, 44, a shelter employee who checks in residents, said he saw a man from the SUV fighting with one of the victims before the shooting. Shelby said he didn’t see the shooting.
Both men have been at the shelter for a few days, according to Phillip Matthew, 52, a shelter employee.
“First time I’ve seen this happen in the 10 years that I’ve been involved with the agency,” Matthew said.
People leaving the mission after church services said they heard gunshots and saw an SUV leaving the scene and heading south on Ninth Avenue. A green SUV parked at the scene had its rear windshield damaged by shots, they said. Neighbors said they heard five gunshots.
Stan Hamnett, director of Gospel Rescue Mission, said there were about 100 residents at the shelter. He added that the shelter did not question residents about their background.
Elvia Malagon and Armando Montaño contributed reporting.
An earlier version of this article stated incorrectly that one of the victims in the shooting at a South Tucson homeless shelter was wounded in the chest. He was shot in the stomach.