In a concerning incident, a Democratic Party campaign office in Tempe, Arizona, was targeted by gunfire, resulting in property damage but fortunately no injuries. The event occurred in the eighth largest city of Arizona, known for its hot summers and mild winters.
Tempe police discovered the damage early Monday, September 23, 2024, and are investigating the incident as a property crime. Property crimes encompass various offenses, including burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The authorities noted that the office was unoccupied at the time of the shooting.
This recent attack follows a similar incident that took place approximately one week earlier, around September 16, 2024. In that case, rounds from what appeared to be a pellet or BB gun were fired at the same office. BB guns typically use metallic ball projectiles, while pellet guns often employ diabolo-shaped pellets.
Local media outlets shared footage revealing two bullet holes in a door and two more in the office windows, highlighting the extent of the damage. The Democratic Party, founded in 1828 and symbolized by a donkey, has been an integral part of Arizona's political landscape since before the state's admission to the Union on February 14, 1912.
Sean McEnerney, the Arizona Democratic Party coordinated campaign manager, expressed gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement. In a statement, he said:
"We are grateful to Tempe Police for coming quickly to the scene and are fortunate no one was present or injured."
The Arizona Democratic Party, established in 1905, has a long history in the state, predating Arizona's statehood. Tempe, part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area, is home to Arizona State University's main campus and is located in Maricopa County.
This incident has raised concerns about political tensions in the region. Tempe, named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece, was first settled by European Charles Trumbull Hayden in 1871. Today, it covers an area of about 40 square miles and is a key part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by political organizations in maintaining security. The Arizona State Capitol, located approximately 10 miles away in Phoenix, oversees governance for the Grand Canyon State, one of the Four Corners states in the American Southwest.
Local authorities are urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.