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Observer pepper-sprayed by masked ICE agent prompts South Tucson council investigation

Apr 6, 2026·Location: Tucson, AZ

Observer pepper-sprayed by masked ICE agent prompts South Tucson council investigation
Photo via KOLD

Steven Davis, an observer with Tucson Rapid Response, was pepper-sprayed by a masked, plain-clothed ICE officer while documenting an immigration enforcement operation at a Walgreens in South Tucson on April 6. Davis said he was non-violently exercising his rights to record and observe when he was sprayed without warning or identification from the officer, causing him to fall to the ground. ICE stated officers deployed pepper spray because protesters were impeding their exit from the parking lot, though Davis said he had been following officers' instructions about where to move and film. On May 19, the South Tucson City Council, with support from the Pima County Attorney, unanimously voted to investigate the incident, with Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela saying the officer must be held accountable.

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