MANHUNT Underway after Gunman Flees Tempe Marketplace in AZ After Morning Shooting

Tempe, Arizona – December 1, 2025  One person is in critical condition following a brazen shooting at the bustling Tempe Marketplace this morning. Authorities are urgently hunting for a suspect described as armed and dangerous, as the popular outdoor shopping destination—known for its lively atmosphere and holiday crowds—transformed into a scene of panic and police tape.

The incident unfolded around 9:30 a.m. near the intersection of McClintock Drive and Rio Salado Parkway, just south of the Loop 202 freeway, according to the Tempe Police Department. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots echoing through the open-air mall, sending families and early holiday bargain-hunters scrambling for cover.

Initial reports from ABC15 Arizona, which dispatched a news crew to the scene, highlighted the gravity of the situation: one victim, whose identity and age have not been released, was rushed to a local hospital in critical but stable condition with multiple gunshot wounds. Conflicting early accounts suggested a second injury, but police have since clarified that only one person was struck, dispelling rumors of a broader casualty count. The shooting appears targeted, though investigators are probing possible connections to a nearby strip mall altercation at a Little Caesars pizzeria on Guadalupe and Rural roads, where tensions may have spilled over.

A Tempe Police spokesperson addressed reporters briefly from the cordoned-off perimeter, her voice steady amid the flashing lights of patrol cars and the distant whir of a news drone overhead. "This was a rapid-response situation. Our officers arrived within minutes, secured the area, and ensured no immediate threat to the public," the spokesperson said. "We're canvassing for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage, but at this hour, the suspect remains at large. If you have information, call us immediately—do not approach."

The suspect, captured fleetingly on grainy security video, is described as a male in his mid-20s, approximately 5-foot-10, last seen wearing a dark hoodie, jeans, and carrying a black backpack.

This shooting marks the latest in a string of troubling incidents across the Phoenix metro area, where gun violence has surged 15% year-over-year, per recent FBI data. Community leaders, including Tempe Mayor Natalie White, condemned the act in a midday statement: "Our city is resilient, but events like this test our spirit. We're supporting the victim's family and committing resources to bring this perpetrator to justice swiftly."

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