Inmate Fatally Shot During Tucson Hospital Altercation

Nathan Peru, 31, an inmate charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and a suspect in the March 2024 death of his 4-year-old daughter, was shot after an altercation with a Pima County corrections officer at Banner University Medical Center South in Tucson on Oct. 22. The officer, identified as Caitlin Acosta, a five-year department veteran, fired her department-issued weapon during a struggle in or near the emergency room; Peru was struck and later died from his injuries. No other patients, staff or officers were injured and hospital operations continued normally. The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team was activated; Oro Valley Police is leading the criminal investigation with Tucson Police assisting, and the sheriff’s office has opened an internal probe. Authorities said Peru had been the subject of a months-long manhunt and faced additional charges including theft, burglary and endangerment, and they released limited details as the multi-agency investigation continues.