An inmate from the Pima County Adult Detention Center was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon during a struggle with a corrections officer at a Tucson hospital, authorities said.
Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed the incident occurred around 12:54 p.m. at Banner University Medical Center South, near Forgeus Avenue and Ajo Way. The inmate, whose name has not been released, was at the hospital for medical treatment under the supervision of a female corrections officer.
According to Nanos, an altercation broke out in the emergency room area, leading to a physical struggle. During that confrontation, the officer fired her weapon, striking the inmate. He was pronounced dead around 3 p.m.
No other injuries were reported among hospital staff, patients, or law enforcement personnel. Hospital operations continued as normal, and the facility was not evacuated.
The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team is leading the investigation, with the Oro Valley Police Department serving as the primary agency and Tucson Police as secondary. The sheriff’s department will also conduct an internal review to determine whether the officer’s actions followed departmental policy.
“This is a tragic incident, and we are cooperating fully with the independent investigation,” Nanos said in a video statement shared on social media.
The inmate’s identity and further details about the altercation have not yet been released.
