TUCSON, Ariz. — The Tucson Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that happened near the south side early Sunday morning.
Police say the shooting happened in the parking lot of Christie’s Cabaret at 6608 South Tucson Blvd at around 2 a.m.
According to TPD, it started when Pima County Sheriff deputies nearby heard gunshots and saw a vehicle speed out of the parking lot. The deputies tried to pull the vehicle over but the driver didn't comply. TPD says the vehicle eventually crashed at the 100 block of West Missouri Street, then the driver -- identified as 25-year-old Dimitri Romero -- fled on foot. Deputies were able to chase him down and take him into custody, TPD said.
Later, a man suffering from a gunshot wound -- identified as 33-year-old Sean Rashad-Odell Howell -- was dropped at at Banner University Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived. The people who dropped him off left before police or hospital staff could question them.
At the scene of the shooting, TPD detectives learned there were multiple shots fired and a large amount of people left the parking lot before officers arrived. They were able to determine Howell, Romero and several other people had gotten into an argument in the parking lot that led to a physical fight. Eventually, police say Romero took out a handgun and shot Howell, then drove off.
Police say they believe the shooting is gang-related. Romero was booked into the Pima County Jail on charges of first degree murder and prohibited possession of a firearm.
