A heavy, painful quiet settled over North Sixth Avenue as the local LGBTQ+ community gathered to process the sudden loss of two beloved figures following a fatal shooting outside Venture-N. The longtime midtown Tucson, Arizona establishment—a cherished sanctuary that evolved from a historic leather and fetish hub into a welcoming home for the city’s older queer population—became a crime scene early Monday morning when targeted violence struck its parking lot.
Officers responding to reports of gunfire around 12:30 a.m. arrived at 1239 North Sixth Avenue to discover three men suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of the victims, identified as 33-year-old photographer Cameron Davis Capara and 42-year-old community organizer Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspected shooter, 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, died shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Initial findings released by the Tucson Police Department indicate Ceesay confronted Capara and Siqueiros in the parking lot before opening fire. The investigation took a dark turn as authorities searched the suspect and discovered evidence suggesting the violence was intended to spread much further. “The suspect was in possession of a note with several LGBTQIA+ associated businesses written on it,” police confirmed in an official statement, noting the tragedy is officially being investigated as a targeted hate crime.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero addressed the tragedy directly, speaking to both the horror of the attack and the broader threat it posed to safe spaces across the city. “Tucson Police Department Investigators confirmed that the suspect possessed addresses for multiple LGBTQ+ friendly venues, intending to cause more harm,” Romero says. Denouncing the violence as a systemic failure and an attack on human dignity, Romero adds: “This tragedy serves as yet another painful reminder that homophobia is still rampant in our country. We must implement smarter policies to prevent mass shootings and keep our communities safe. Easy access to firearms and Arizona’s weak gun safety laws continue to put all of us at risk.”
For those left behind, the loss is personal and deep. Friends and regulars at Venture-N remembered Capara not only as a creative force, but as a selfless advocate for those around him. Drew Fellows, a close friend of Capara, reflected on the photographer’s legacy and unwavering commitment to social progress. “He always fought for and believed in a better future, for himself, for his community and, most importantly, for everybody,” Fellows said.
Regional leaders and advocacy groups across the state echoed the sentiment, expressing shock while highlighting the persistent vulnerability felt by marginalized groups. Representative Raúl Grijalva voiced his grief over the loss of life and the deliberate target placed on a local haven. “I’m disgusted by the targeted act of hate and the cold-blooded murder of two members of our LGBTQIA+ community,” Grijalva stats. “This horrific attack is a painful reminder that even in welcoming communities like Tucson, hate and violence against our LGBTQIA+ community still exist.”
Organizers across Tucson continue to coordinate vigils and support services for residents seeking solace, determined to honor the memories of Capara and Siqueiros while asserting their right to exist and gather without fear.
