Tucson police officers question witnesses outside Skrappy's, a Downtown nightclub for teens, after a night of violence that included a fatal shooting. The killing followed an "invasion" of the club by adults from Phoenix that escalated into a violent brawl in the parking lot.

Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star

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It was a scary and tragic night for Tucson teens as a violent crew from the Phoenix area invaded Skrappy's, a local youth hangout.

Before the night was done, one man was dead and several other people were injured.

The identity of the gunman, who was questioned by investigators at the scene, has not been released by police. He is considered an investigative lead and has not been charged with a crime, said Sgt. Ramon Batista, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.

Dozens of concert-goers were questioned until the early-morning hours Thursday, said Batista, but no arrests have been made in the case.

The fatal shooting was the seventh in the Downtown area this year.

Five bands were playing an all-ages show at Skrappy's, 201 E. Broadway, on Wednesday night.

One of the bands, Shattered Realm, a hard-core metal band with ties to violent gang FSU, had been recommended to Skrappy's staff by the other bands, said Sue Krahe-Eggleston, executive director of Our Family Services, the nonprofit group behind Skrappy's.

But it was quickly apparent something was wrong when, during the band's second song, a group of adults "invaded" the club and started shoving people, she said.

Skrappy's staff members turned off the music, turned up the lights, called police and forced the fight outside into the parking lot. There, pushing escalated into a brawl when some of the adults, wearing FSU shirts, grabbed weapons from cars, Krahe-Eggleston said. Someone was hit in the head with a hammer, another was threatened with a machete, she said.

People, some with injuries, were running out of the building as chaos kicked in, said Batista.

One young man, a regular at Skrappy's, ran to his own car to get away from an assailant who had injured his head and face. But once inside, someone started smashing his windows, according to witness accounts.

"He was trying to protect himself," Krahe-Eggleston said.

The man, who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, pulled a pistol from his car, Krahe-Eggleston said.

He fired at least once, striking Ray "Hairy Darrin" Pierson, 27, of Mesa as he assaulted someone else, Batista said.

Pierson died at a hospital, he said.

When police arrived, they found the man with the gun next to Pierson's body, Batista said. Police held the man at gunpoint until he could be detained.

Police will present the case to prosecutors, who will determine whether the shooting was justified as self-defense, he said.

The violent gang FSU has been in the Phoenix area for a while, but its existence was unknown to local police until the shooting Wednesday.

The gang is linked to hard-core music, which is accompanied by a violent style of dancing.

Pierson identified himself as a member of FSU on a Web site for Team Loco, a Phoenix-area crew that started as a BMX club.

A memorial for Pierson posted on the Team Loco Web site describes him as "our Team Loco/FSU brother." The site shows pictures of Pierson having fun with friends and encourages members to show sympathy to Pierson's family and lean on fellow members for support.

Efforts to contact the sponsors of the Team Loco Web site were not successful.

Some of the people wearing FSU T-shirts at the concert came with the band from Phoenix, said witnesses and police.

Shattered Realm's Web site shows links to FSU, including one band member's FSU tattoo.

Staff members and youths at Skrappy's were shocked and outraged that a gang came into their "safe haven."

Youths who showed up at Skrappy's on Thursday night said their hangout has been a safe place for years.

"Skrappy's is a second home to a lot of kids and sometimes even a first home," said Kali Williams, 16.

"This is the only place I can go to get away from it all," said Josie Tijerino, 15. "And if that's gone, I don't know what I'm gonna do."

Concerts this weekend have been canceled, but Skrappy's doors will be open to youths who want to talk.

"Our greatest concern right now is making sure young people know our doors are staying open," said Kevin Jackson, a staff member. "The people here will be here for them."

"It's been a relatively trouble-free place," said Officer Chris Wildblood, who patrols the neighborhood and responded to the fight.

"They've taken care of their venue on their own and they haven't needed a lot of police assistance."

Police were called to Skrappy's five other times this year, including one call for an assault victim with a minor injury. The other calls were for property crimes.