Tucson is still a major conduit for the drug trade in the U.S. and we have seen a steady increase in that,'' said Detective Sgt. Michael G. O'Connor of the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The department investigated 23 homicides last year. A homicide is the willful killing of one person by another. The count includes homicides recorded by the Pima County Sheriff's Department and police departments in Marana, Oro Valley, South Tucson, Tucson and the Tohono O'odham Nation.
Homicides can be reflective of a community's safety.
I don't think alarm is the right word, but people should be concerned. One homicide is too many and we should never accept anyone who backs away from efforts to work with what causes it,'' said Daniel G. Sharp, chief of police for the town of Oro Valley, which had a record four homicides last year. The officer also shot at Kremer, and the autopsy did not conclude which of the bullet wounds was fatal. Click to enlarge The most common motive last year was fighting, which authorities listed as the motive in 18 deaths. Other motives were domestic violence, drugs, gangs and robberies.