Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head Saturday when an assailant opened fire outside a grocery store during a meeting with constituents, killing six people and wounding 13 others.
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The assassination attempt left Giffords in critical condition -- the bullet went straight through her brain -- but the hospital said her outlook was "optimistic" and that she was responding to commands from doctors. The hospital said a 9-year-old child was among the killed, and a U.S. Marshal said a federal judge was also fatally shot in the attack.
Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin said three Giffords staffers were shot in the attack. One died, and the other two are expected to survive. Gabe Zimmerman, a former social worker who served as Giffords' director of community outreach, died.
Giffords, 40, is a moderate Democrat who narrowly won re-election in November against a tea party candidate who sought to throw her from office over her support of the health care law. Anger over her position became violent at times, with her Tucson office vandalized after the House passed the overhaul last March and someone showing up at a recent gathering with a weapon.
Police say the shooter was in custody, and was identified by people familiar with the investigation as Jared Lee Loughner, 22. U.S. officials who provided his name to the AP spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release it publicly.
It's still not clear if Loughner had the health care debate in mind or was focused on his own unique set of political beliefs, many outlined in rambling videos and postings on the Internet.
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik described the gunman as mentally unstable and possibly acting with an accomplice. He said Giffords was among 13 people wounded in the melee that killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl, an aide for the Democratic lawmaker and U.S. District Judge John Roll, who had just stopped by to see his friend Giffords after celebrating Mass. Dupnik said the rampage ended only after two people tackled the gunman.
The sheriff blamed the vitriolic political rhetoric that has consumed the country, much of it centered in Arizona.
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," he said. "And unfortunately, Arizona, I think, has become the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
Giffords expressed similar concern, even before the shooting. In an interview after her office was vandalized, she referred to the animosity against her by conservatives, including Sarah Palin's decision to list Giffords' seat as one of the top "targets" in the midterm elections.
"For example, we're on Sarah Palin's targeted list, but the thing is, that the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they have to realize that there are consequences to that action," Giffords said in an interview with MSNBC.
In the hours after the shooting, Palin issued a statement in which she expressed her "sincere condolences" to the family of Giffords and the other victims.
During his campaign effort to unseat Giffords in November, Republican challenger Jesse Kelly held fundraisers where he urged supporters to help remove Giffords from office by joining him to shoot a fully loaded M-16 rifle. Kelly is a former Marine who served in Iraq and was pictured on his website in military gear holding his automatic weapon and promoting the event.
"I don't see the connection," between the fundraisers featuring weapons and Saturday's shooting, said John Ellinwood, Kelly's spokesman. "I don't know this person, we cannot find any records that he was associated with the campaign in any way. I just don't see the connection.
"Arizona is a state where people are firearms owners - this was just a deranged individual."
Law enforcement officials said members of Congress reported 42 cases of threats or violence in the first three months of 2010, nearly three times the 15 cases reported during the same period a year earlier. Nearly all dealt with the health care bill, and Giffords was among the targets.
A 19-year-old volunteer at the event, Alex Villec, described how the violence unfolded.
Villec, a former staffer for the congresswoman, told The Associated Press that the man who later turned out to be the suspect arrived at the event wearing a black cap and baggy pants and asking for the congresswoman.
"I told him ... she'll be more than happy to talk to you as your turn comes," Villec said. The man walked away, but returned just minutes later and burst through a table separating Villec and Giffords from the public. Villec said he saw him raise an arm, and then he heard gunfire.
The gunman fired at Giffords and her district director and started shooting indiscriminately at staffers and others standing in line to talk to the congresswoman, said Mark Kimball, a communications staffer for Giffords.
"He was not more than three or four feet from the congresswoman and the district director," he said, describing the scene as "just complete chaos, people screaming, crying."
The shooting cast a pall over the Capitol as politicians of all stripes denounced the attack as a horrific. Capitol police asked members of Congress to be more vigilant about security in the wake of the shooting. Obama dispatched his FBI chief to Arizona.
Giffords, known as "Gabby," tweeted shortly before the shooting, describing her "Congress on Your Corner" event: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."
"It's not surprising that today Gabby was doing what she always does, listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors," Obama said. "That is the essence of what our democracy is about. That is why this is more than a tragedy for those involved. It is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country."
Doctors were optimistic about Giffords surviving as she was responding to commands from doctors. "With guarded optimism, I hope she will survive, but this is a very devastating wound," said Dr. Richard Carmona, the former surgeon general who lives in Tucson.
Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin said besides the aide Zimmerman, who was killed, two other Giffords staffers were shot but expected to survive. Zimmerman was a former social worker who served as Giffords' director of community outreach. Giffords had worked with the judge in the past to line up funding to build a new courthouse in Yuma, and Obama hailed him for his nearly 40 years of service.
Greg Segalini, an uncle of Christina, the 9-year-old victim, told the Arizona Republic that a neighbor was going to the event and invited her along because she had just been elected to the student council and was interested in government.
Christina, who was born on Sept. 11, 2001, was involved in many activities, from ballet to baseball. She had just received her first Holy Communion at St. Odilia's Catholic Church on in Tucson, Catholic Diocese of Tucson officials told The Arizona Daily Star.
In the evening, more than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil outside Giffords' headquarters, where authorities investigated a suspicious package that turned out to be non-explosive.
The suspect Loughner was described by a former classmate as a pot-smoking loner, and the Army said he tried to enlist in December 2008 but was rejected for reasons not disclosed.
Federal law enforcement officials were poring over versions of a MySpace page that included a mysterious "Goodbye friends" message published hours before the shooting and exhorted his friends to "Please don't be mad at me."
In one of several Youtube videos, which featured text against a dark background, Loughner described inventing a new U.S. currency and complained about the illiteracy rate among people living in Giffords' congressional district in Arizona.
"I know who's listening: Government Officials, and the People," Loughner wrote. "Nearly all the people, who don't know this accurate information of a new currency, aren't aware of mind control and brainwash methods. If I have my civil rights, then this message wouldn't have happen (sic)."
In Loughner's middle-class neighborhood - about a five-minute drive from the scene - sheriff's deputies had much of the street blocked off. The neighborhood sits just off a bustling Tucson street and is lined with desert landscaping and palm trees.
Neighbors said Loughner lived with his parents and kept to himself. He was often seen walking his dog, almost always wearing a hooded sweat shirt and listening to his iPod.
Loughner's MySpace profile indicates he attended and graduated from school in Tucson and had taken college classes. He did not say if he was employed.
"We're getting out of here. We are freaked out," 33-year-old David Cleveland, who lives a few doors down from Loughner's house, told The Associated Press.
Cleveland said he was taking his wife and children, ages 5 and 7, to her parent's home when they heard about the shooting.
"When we heard about it, we just got sick to our stomachs," Cleveland said. "We just wanted to hold our kids tight."
High school classmate Grant Wiens, 22, said Loughner seemed to be "floating through life" and "doing his own thing."
"Sometimes religion was brought up or drugs. He smoked pot, I don't know how regularly. And he wasn't too keen on religion, from what I could tell," Wiens said.
Lynda Sorenson said she took a math class with Loughner last summer at Pima Community College's Northwest campus and told the Arizona Daily Star he was "obviously very disturbed." "He disrupted class frequently with nonsensical outbursts," she said.
In October 2007, Loughner was cited in Pima County for possession of drug paraphernalia, which was dismissed after he completed a diversion program, according to online records.
"He has kind of a troubled past, I can tell you that," Dupnik said.
Giffords was first elected to Congress amid a wave of Democratic victories in the 2006 election, and has been mentioned as a possible Senate candidate in 2012 and a gubernatorial prospect in 2014.
She is married to astronaut Mark E. Kelly, who has piloted space shuttles Endeavour and Discovery. The two met in China in 2003 while they were serving on a committee there, and were married in January 2007. Sen. Bill Nelson, chairman of the Senate Commerce Space and Science Subcommittee, said Kelly is training to be the next commander of the space shuttle mission slated for April. His brother is currently serving aboard the International Space Station, Nelson said.
Giffords is known in her southern Arizona district for her numerous public outreach meetings, which she acknowledged in an October interview with The Associated Press can sometimes be challenging.
"You know, the crazies on all sides, the people who come out, the planet earth people," she said with a following an appearance with Adm. Mike Mullen in which the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was peppered with bizarre questions from an audience member. "I'm glad this just doesn't happen to me."
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2:55 PM�ET Obama Calls For Moment Of Silence
President Obama's statement:
STomorrow at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.
More from the White House, including that Obama's planned trip to New York has been postponed:
The President will observe the moment of silence with White House staff on the South Lawn. The moment of silence will be pooled press. Today, the President has signed a proclamation calling for flags to be flown at half-staff.Also, the planned trip by the President to Schenectady, New York, on Tuesday, January 11, to the General Electric energy division is postponed. The trip is expected to be rescheduled.
2:42 PM�ET Person Of Interest
Here is more on the person of interest, who according to NBC News has been ruled out: "Authorities tell NBC News they have interviewed the 'person of interest' in the Arizona shooting [and] are now satisfied he was merely at the Safeway store and not connected to the shooting or the suspect in any way."
2:40 PM�ET 'An Amazing Child'
One of the shooting victims on Saturday was nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, who attended the Giffords event with a neighbor.
Green's mother spoke with the New York Times, saying, SI allowed her to go, thinking it would be an innocent thing."
"From the very beginning, she was an amazing child, she added. SShe was very bright, very mature, off the charts."
1:55 PM�ET Sheriff Deplores 'Rhetoric About Hatred'
On Saturday Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik called Arizona "the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry." Today the sheriff continued on the same theme:
"I think that when the rhetoric about hatred, about mistrust of government, about paranoia of how government operates and to try to inflame the public on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, has impact on people especially who are unbalanced personalities to begin with."
He also called his state "the tombstone of the United States of America."
REPORTER: What are your observations about the state of Arizona gun laws in light of what happened?DUPNIK: Well, I think we're the tombstone of the United States of America.... I have never been a proponent of letting everybody in this state cary weapons under any circumstances that they want, and that's almost where we are.
1:40 PM�ET Heroic Woman Charged Arizona Shooter, Averting 'Huge Greater Catastrophe'
At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Pima County, Ariz., Sheriff Clarence Dupnik offered more details on how suspected Arizona shooter Jared Loughner was disarmed.
Dupnik said that when Loughner ran out of bullets in his first magazine clip, a woman who had already been shot "went up and grabbed" the new magazine "and tore it away from him." Dupnik said the name of the woman was known but he did not share it during the press conference.
After the confrontation with the woman, Loughner was able to load another magazine into his weapon, but "the spring in the magazine failed," Dupnik said, and two men were able to get his weapon away from him and subdue him until law enforcement arrived.
Dupnik said the work of these three people potentially averted a "huge greater catastrophe."
1:21 PM�ET FBI Director Robert Mueller Briefing Reporters
Some details he's shared:
- A filing in federal court is expected today listing specific charges against the shooter Jared Loughren and elaborating on his stated motives
- Law enforcement still does not have an ID on the second suspect seen with Loughren in Safeway store
12:47 PM�ET Reason For Army Rejection
From MSNBC's Jesse Rodriguez:
NBC News has learned that Jared Lee Loughner's application for enlistment into Army was rejected after he reportedly failed a drug test
According to the AP:
In October 2007, Loughner was cited in Pima County for possession of drug paraphernalia, which was dismissed after he completed a diversion program, according to online records.
12:45 PM�ET Caustic Political Climate 'A Suspect' In Shooting
The nation's caustic political climate has become a suspect of sorts in the rampage that left six dead and a lawmaker critically injured in Arizona. Already, appeals are being heard to tone down the rhetoric.
The captured suspect's motives remain unknown despite his online diatribes betraying resentment of the government and a scattered state of mind. Still, the attack on Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and those who were with has intensified the scrutiny on how much is too much, and how hot is too hot, in political debate.
Sen. Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democratic leader in the Senate, on Sunday cited imagery of crosshairs on political opponents and Sarah Palin's combative rallying cry, "Don't retreat; reload."
"These sorts of things, I think, invite the kind of toxic rhetoric that can lead unstable people to believe this is an acceptable response," Durbin said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."
The attack might be the work of "a single nut," Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, whose Arizona district shares Tucson with Giffords' district, said Saturday, the day Giffords was shot. But he said the nation must assess the fallout of "an atmosphere where the political discourse is about hate, anger and bitterness."
- AP
12:41 PM�ET Loughner's School Wanted Mental Health Evaluation
Jared Loughner had a history of acting out in school and had as many as five run-ins with campus police for "classroom and library disruptions," ABC News reports. After he was suspended, the school requested that he pass a mental health evaluation before being allowed to return from suspension:
On Oct. 7, Pima Community College sent a letter to Loughner's parents stating that if Loughner wished to return to the school, he would have to "obtain a mental health clearance indicating, in the opinion of a mental health professional, his presence at the College does not present a danger to himself or others," the school said in a statement.
Two months later, he purchased the gun allegedly used in Saturday's attack.
12:32 PM�ET Scott Simon On His Friend Gabby
NPR's Scott Simon, a friend of Giffords, writes about family get-togethers with Giffords, "great quesadillas," and the heated political rhetoric pervading Arizona:
The next time you're tempted to mock members of Congress, you might think about Gabby, who flies back and forth across the country every week, losing sleep, missing her family and wearing herself down but determined to cast tough votes and fly back home to answer for them. [...]I don't think I violate any confidences to say Gabby has worried that intemperate people -- I'll call them nuts and cranks -- are poisoning politics in the state she loves.
12:15 PM�ET Hospital Update
Congresswoman Giffords is able to respond to simple commands and communicate with her doctors, hospital officials said this morning. She remains on a ventilator, so is not able to speak at this time.
The bullet traveled the entire length of the left side of her brain, her doctors said. It did not cross from one half of the brain to the other, a much worse scenario.
"Overall, this is about as good as it can get," said Peter Rhee, the trauma medical director. Though he cautioned that her condition remains "very precarious."
10:58 AM�ET Giffords Not Awake, Speaking
The hospital where Giffords is being treated has denied reports that she is awake and speaking.
SShe did not wake up, hospital spokesman Darci Slaten told Politico. SShe"s not talking to anybody.
SShe did not speak to her husband, or anything like that.
10:12 AM�ET Heroic Intern
The Arizona Republic tells the story of Daniel Hernandez, a brand-new intern for Giffords who rushed to provide her medical attention until the paramedics arrived:
Using his hand, Hernandez applied pressure to the entry wound on her forehead. He pulled her into his lap, holding her upright against him so she wouldn't choke on her own blood. Giffords was conscious, but quiet. ...Hernandez used his hand to apply pressure until someone from inside Safeway brought him clean smocks from the meat department. He used them to apply pressure on the entrance wound, unaware there was an exit wound. He never let go of her.
"When I heard gunshots, my first instinct was to head toward the congresswoman to make sure that she was okay," Hernandez told ABC's Christiane Amanpour Sunday morning. "Once I saw that she was down, and there were more than one victim, I went ahead and started doing the limited triage that I could with what I had."
9:56 AM�ET Boehner's Statement
House Speaker John Boehner announced Sunday morning that the flags on the House side of the U.S. Capitol would be flown at half-mast in honor of Gabe Zimmerman, Giffords' aide who was killed yesterday.
Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced Saturday night that all legislative action was being postponed. Boehner said that a revised schedule would be announced in due course, and insisted that "This inhuman act should not, and will not, deter us from our calling to represent our constituents and to fulfill our oaths of office. No act, no matter how heinous, must be allowed to stop us from our duty."
8:56 AM�ET Photo Of Possible Second Suspect Released
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has released a photograph of a man they believe may be associated with Jared Lee Loughner: "He is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 40-50 years old, dark hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark blue jacket."
3:23 AM�ET Giffords' Condition
Doctors are cautiously optimistic that Rep. Giffords, who Reuters writes is "battling for her life," will survive after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
The Los Angeles Times reports on the congresswoman's progress -- as well as the steep road she faces:
Giffords was conscious and responsive after brain surgery, though former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, a family friend, said she had suffered a "very devastating & very severe" injury.
Meanwhile, Fox 11 writes that Giffords is in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
10:26 PM�ET The Child Who Died
A sad note on the nine-year-old girl who was gunned down in Arizona on Saturday, Christina Taylor Green, from AZCentral.com:
A neighbor was going to the Giffords event and invited Christina along because she thought she would enjoy it, said her uncle, Greg Segalini.Christina had just been elected to the student council at her school. The event, held outside a Safeway supermarket north of Tucson, was an opportunity for constituents to meet Giffords and talk about any concerns they had related to the federal government.
More here.
Tucson CBS affiliate KOLD notes that Green was featured in the book, "Faces Of Hope: Babies Born On 9/11."
9:43 PM�ET Gun Purchased Legally
The AP reports:
WASHINGTON A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the handgun used in a shooting that killed a federal judge and wounded a U.S. congresswoman in Tucson, Ariz., was purchased legally. U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head Saturday morning during an event with voters outside a local grocery store. U.S. District Judge John Roll, and at least five others, were killed in the attack.The official, who has been briefed on the investigation, spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the case. Officials have identified the shooter as 22-year-old Jared Loughner of Tucson. He is in custody. The Washington Post reported late Saturday that Loughner purchased the gun Nov. 30 from the Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson.
9:12 PM�ET NPR Mea Culpa
NPR reported on Saturday afternoon that Rep. Giffords had died from a gunshot wound to the head. Multiple other outlets, including Reuters, reported the information as well. Now NPR is apologizing:
SAt two o"clock, we had two sources [saying] that the congresswoman died, the Pima County Sheriff"s office and a congressman"s office, and we went with those in good faith, said Anna Christopher, an NPR spokeswoman. SSoon after, as we started reporting more, we reported that she had not been killed, and we regret the erroneous news.
Politico has more.
8:43 PM�ET Wow
Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, speaking about Arizona:
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.
"It's not unusual for all public officials to get threats constantly, myself included. And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America. Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."
He later added:
DUPNIK: Let me just say one thing, because people tend to poo-poo this business about all the vitriol that we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech. But it's not without consequences.REPORTER: How do you know that that's what caused it.
DUPNIK: You don't.
8:38 PM�ET Second Suspect Sought
Authorities are seeking a second suspect in today's shooting, Sheriff Dupnik confirms.
8:25 PM�ET House Legislation Postponed
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor released a statement saying that all House legislative activity will be postponed one week, including efforts to repeal President Obama's health care reform.
SOur nation was shocked by the tragedy in Arizona earlier today. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff, and others became the victims of a senseless act of violence. Congresswoman Giffords serves Arizona"s 8th District with distinction and thoughtful leadership, and it is horrifying that she was exposed to such violence at an event designed to reach the people she represents. I couldn"t agree more with Speaker Boehner, who earlier said that, an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve." Along with our nation, this institution has suffered a horrible tragedy. We are saddened, mourn those who lost their lives, and stand together in hopeful prayer for the recovery of the victims and their families.SAll legislation currently scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives next week is being postponed so that we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today"s tragedy. Further information relating to a revised House schedule will be released tomorrow.
8:11 PM�ET Second Person Involved?
The Pima County sheriff's department says that a second person may have been involved in today's shooting. "We're not convinced that [Loughner] acted alone. There is some reason to believe he came to this location with another individual."
8:08 PM�ET Alleged Shooter's 'Nonsensical Outburst's'
Arizona Daily Star has more on Loughner:
SHe disrupted class frequently with nonsensical outbursts, said Lynda Sorenson, who took a math class with Loughner last summer at Pima Community College"s Northwest campus.
Sorenson doesn"t recall if he ever made any threats or uttered political statements but he was very disruptive, she said. He was asked to leave the pre-algebra class several times and eventually was barred from class, said Sorenson, a Tucson resident.
Their full article is here.
7:54 PM�ET Army Rejected Suspected Shooter
The Army has issued the following statement:
"The Army has confirmed that the suspect was never in the Army. He attempted to enlist in the Army but was rejected for service. In accordance with the Privacy Act, we will not discuss why he was rejected."
7:09 PM�ET The Consequences
HuffPost's Howard Fineman looks at how today's shooting could permanently change the way members of Congress interact with their constituents:
WASHINGTON -- The shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is a watershed event in many ways, some of which we cannot yet know, but one of the clearest and simplest is this: Congress and its members are about to be permanently quarantined, physically isolated, from the people it and they represent.Thirty years ago, there was no such thing as security on Capitol Hill or for members. Members of the public were free to roam the halls, and police presence was practically invisible. There were no barricades around the grounds, and even the leadership rarely had any form of protection.
The Hill was the very model of the People's Place -- and in that respect it was an inspirational symbol of our democracy.
Read the rest here.
7:06 PM�ET Grayson On Giffords
Former congressman Alan Grayson writes about Rep. Giffords:
Gabrielle Giffords and I served together on the House Committee on Science and Technology. She was the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and I was a member of that subcommittee. Her D.C. office was one floor above mine.I saw Gabby dozens, if not hundreds of times, during our two years together. And nearly every time that I can remember, she was smiling.
Gabby is one of the most cheerful, charming and engaging people I have ever known. She's always looking on the bright side. She has something good to say about pretty much everyone. Bad news never lays a glove on her. She loves life, and all the people in it.
More here.
6:48 PM�ET Loughner In 2006
Below: a photo of the alleged shooter from the 2006 Mountain View High School yearbook. Much more on him here.
6:37 PM�ET Arizona Vigils
Vigils held tonight in Tucson and Phoenix. (Listed times are Mountain Time.)
Vigils for Congresswoman Giffords, other victims of today's attackVigils will be held this evening in Phoenix and Tucson for Congresswoman Giffords and the other victims of today's shooting in Tucson. Details below:
Phoenix
When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: State Capitol, Phoenix
Tucson
When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: District office of Rep. Giffords, 1661 N. Swan Road, Suite 112, Tucson
AND
When: 7 p.m. tonight
Where: St. Mark's United Methodist Church (corner of Magee and LaCanada)
6:33 PM�ET John Roberts: Murdered Judge 'Selflessly Served Arizona And The Nation'
The Chief Justice issues a statement regarding the killing of federal judge John Roll:
SThe violence in Arizona today has senselessly taken five lives and inflicted tragic loss on dedicated public servants and their families. We in the judiciary have suffered the terrible loss of one of our own. Chief Judge John Roll was a wise jurist who selflessly served Arizona and the nation with great distinction, as attorney and judge, for more than 35 years. I express my deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his children, as well as the other victims and their families. Chief Judge Roll"s death is a somber reminder of the importance of the rule of law and the sacrifices of those who work to secure it.
6:18 PM�ET Giffords
HuffPost's Lucia Graves and Arthur Delaney have more about Rep. Giffords:
Giffords is known for a cheerful and energetic disposition. "I just read the First Amendment!" she said -- "gleefully," according to The New York Times -- after stepping off the House floor during the first-ever reading of the Constitution on Wednesday. "Reflecting on the Constitution in a bipartisan way is a good way to start the year."Her husband, Cmdr. Mark E. Kelly, 46, is a NASA astronaut. The couple married in 2007 and have two children. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi told HuffPost she liked to talk to Kelly about the cosmos.
Giffords serves on committees for armed services, foreign affairs, and science and technology. She's the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
Full post is here.
6:12 PM�ET Biden: Shooting 'Horrific'
The Vice President's statement:
The horrific attack in Tucson, Arizona, this morning has taken the lives of at least five people, including a federal judge and a young girl, and left many others wounded, among them a dear friend, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.Gabby is one of the finest members of Congress I know. She is a principled leader and a consensus-builder. She has spent her time in office working her heart out to improve the lives of the people she represents. And she loves her husband and family above all else. On this tragic day, Jill and I are praying for Gabby"s recovery, and we hold her family in our hearts.
Chief Judge John Roll was a dedicated jurist whose death is a terrible loss to Arizona and to the country.
We do not yet know the motivation behind these shootings. But what we do know is that there is simply no justification, no rationale for such senseless and appalling violence in our society.
Please join Jill and me in praying for each of today"s victims and for their families and loved ones.
5:38 PM�ET Attorney General: 'We Will Hold Accountable Anyone Responsible For These Heinous Acts'
Attorney General Eric Holder's statement:
SToday"s tragedy in Arizona was a senseless act of violence that has already resulted in devastating loss, including the death of Chief United States District Court Judge John Roll and four other individuals and the wounding of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and a number of others. All of those who were killed or injured and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.SAs the President said, FBI Director Mueller is traveling to Arizona to help coordinate the investigation. The FBI is working jointly with local law enforcement to investigate today"s events, and I have directed Department prosecutors and law enforcement officials to use every resource necessary to investigate this tragedy. I want to assure the people of Arizona and every American that we will hold accountable anyone responsible for these heinous acts.
5:10 PM�ET Harry Reid: 'A Sad Day For Our Country'
The Senate majority leader weighs in:
"My thoughts are with the victims of today's tragic attack, including Congresswoman Giffords, and all their families. I hope for a speedy recovery for the congresswoman and all of the wounded, and that those responsible will be brought to justice quickly. This is a sad day for our country, and acts of senseless violence such as this one affect us all. Congresswoman Giffords is one of our most dynamic members of Congress. As a representative of a neighboring state, I have watched her career closely and admired her work on behalf of the state of Arizona. I know she will be in the thoughts of every American - and in particular those who dedicate their lives to public service as she and her staff have."
4:57 PM�ET Hoyer: Shooting 'Devastating To Everyone Who Cares About Our Democracy'
The House minority whip's statement:
SMy prayers are with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her family, her staff, and all the victims of today"s shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Congresswoman Giffords is a devoted and insightful public servant, and a passionate advocate for her constituentsbut more than that, she is my dear friend. To all those who are privileged to know Gabby Giffords, who know her spirit and graciousness in public life, today"s cowardly attack is devastating. But it is equally devastating to every Americanto everyone who cares about our democracy. Our form of government, like all human things, is imperfect and flawed; but one of its greatest virtues is its power to resolve questions of the greatest import without violence. An attack on a member of that governmentof whatever party or whatever viewsis an attack on that principle, in which every American has a stake.
4:55 PM�ET Obama's Involvement
HuffPost's Sam Stein:
A White House official sends over the following information with respect to how Obama was both informed of and has handled the shooting of Rep. Giffords.
The President was notified of this terrible tragedy by John Brennan and Jim Messina a little after 1:20pm Eastern.Beginning at 3pm Eastern, the President made a number of phone calls and was then briefed by FBI Director Mueller, Secretary Napolitano, Attorney General Holder, Bill Daley, John Brennan, Jim Messina, Phil Schiliro, Tom Donilon, David Axelrod, Dan Pfeiffer, Alyssa Mastromonaco and a number of other senior white house officials. The President asked Director Mueller to travel to Arizona to personally oversee the coordination of this investigation.
The President made calls to Representative Gifford's husband, whom he left a message for, Governor Jan Brewer, Speaker John Boehner, Representative Eric Cantor, Majority Leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader, Representative Steny Hoyer, Democratic Whip, Representative James Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader and Representative Ed Pastor to express his deep concern and to update all of them on the latest information.
As a side note to the tick-tock: this appears to be the first issue that has involved Daley in his role as incoming chief of staff.
4:53 PM�ET
Here is the release for the "Congress on your corner" event where today's shooting took place:
U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS TO HOST FIRST "CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER" OF THE YEAR ON SATURDAYJanuary 7, 2011
TUCSON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" of the year on Saturday, Jan. 8 at a supermarket in northwest Tucson.
"Congress on Your Corner" allows residents of Arizona's 8th Congressional District to meet their congresswoman one-on-one and discuss with her any issue, concern or problem involving the federal government.
Giffords has hosted numerous "Congress on Your Corner" events since taking office in January 2007. As in the past, the congresswoman's staff will be available to assist constituents.
Previous "Congress on Your Corner" events in Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, and Douglas have attracted between 75 and 150 people.
For the media, "Congress on Your Corner" is an excellent opportunity to view the congresswoman interacting with constituents or ask questions about any topic.
This Saturday's "Congress Your Corner" comes at the conclusion of the first week of the 112th Congress. Giffords took the oath of office for a third term on Wednesday and on Thursday she participated in a reading of the U.S. Constitution on the floor of the House.
Among the congresswoman's first official acts this week was a vote for Speaker of the House and theintroduction of legislation to cut congressional salaries by 5 percent. Giffords was interviewed about her bill this morning on Fox news.
WHAT: "Congress on Your Corner" with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle GiffordsWHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2011WHERE: Safeway, 7110 N. Oracle Road (southeast corner of Oracle and Ina)
4:49 PM�ET FBI Director To Arizona
President Obama says that FBI director Robert Mueller is en route to Arizona to coordinate the investigation of the shooting.
4:41 PM�ET Jared Lee Loughner
HuffPost's Sam Stein:
There will be, in the next few days, painstaking efforts to uncover and understand the background of Jared Lee Loughner, the alleged shooter of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. And right now reporters are generally going off of bits of information taken, primarily, from Google searches.
The most illustrative window is Loughner"s YouTube account, which appears to be hub of anti-government zealotry, obsession over currency and language standards, and, to put it bluntly, outright paranoia.
SIn conclusion, reading the second United States Constitution, I can"t trust the current government because of the ratifications: the government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar, he writes in one video posting. SNo! I won"t pay debt with a currency that"s not backed by gold and silver! No! I won"t trust in God!
Here is a link to Loughner"s YouTube site.
There are also some biographical details that can be culled from the page. Loughner attended Mountain View High School, Northwest Aztec Middle College, and Pima Community College. He also appears to have been in the armed forces, at one point in time.
SEvery United States Military recruit at MEPS in Phoenix is receiving one mini bible before the tests, he writes in one video. SJared Loughner is a United States Military recruit at MEPS in Phoenix Therefore, Jared Loughner is receiving one mini bible before the tests."
4:28 PM�ET John McCain: Shooter A 'Disgrace To Arizona, This Country And The Human Race'
John McCain's statement:
SI am horrified by the violent attack on Representative Gabrielle Giffords and many other innocent people by a wicked person who has no sense of justice or compassion. I pray for Gabby and the other victims, and for the repose of the souls of the dead and comfort for their families. I beg our loving Creator to spare the lives of those who are still alive, heal them in body and spirit, and return them to their loved ones.SWhoever did this; whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race, and they deserve and will receive the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law.
4:03 PM�ET Surgeon 'Very Optimistic' About Giffords, One Dead, Five Critical
A surgeon is "very optimistic" about Rep. Giffords. He adds that she was shot in the head "through and through."
"We cannot tell what kind of recovery but I'm about as optimistic as it can get in this situation."
He also says that there are 10 patients from the shooting, one has died, five are in critical condition. The dead patient was a child -- the only one that came to the hospital.
3:55 PM�ET 2nd Person Arrested?
"Police arrest man near Thornydale and Magee Roads who is suspected of being connected to the shooting of Giffords and others. A third man is being sought."
3:50 PM�ET Giffords 'Expected To Pull Through'?
MSNBC reports that Tucson's deputy city manager says that doctors expect Rep. Giffords to pull through.
3:48 PM�ET Mitch McConnell: 'Senseless Attack'
The Senate Republican leader has issued the following statement:
SThis senseless attack today in Tucson is a national tragedy, and all America mourns those who lost their lives in the very act of public service. I join the entire Congress in condemning this horrifying act of violence, and on behalf of the entire Senate family, Elaine and I extend our deepest expressions of sympathy and heartfelt prayers to Rep. Giffords and the families of those who have been killed or injured. The U.S. Capitol Police are joining local, state and federal officials in this investigation. We appreciate their quick response and stand ready to assist in their efforts."
3:47 PM�ET Judge John Roll Dead
The judge who was killed at today's shooting has been identified as John Roll.
3:42 PM�ET Sheriff's Dept: 18 Shot, 6 Dead, Giffords 'Gravely' Wounded
Richard J. Kastigar, the bureau chief for the Pima County Sheriff's Department, tells CNN that 18 individuals were shot and six are dead. He adds that Giffords is "gravely" wounded.
3:40 PM�ET Capitol Police Issue Statement
HuffPost's Sam Stein:
The U.S. Capitol Police released the following statement and guidance to lawmakers following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday.SFederal, state and local law enforcement authorities in Arizona are investigating a shooting in Tucson, Arizona in which Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot. Multiple others were shot as well. Congresswoman Giffords has been transported to a local medical facility with serious injuries. The suspect is in custody. No further details on the motive or other victims are available at this time.
SThe U.S. Capitol Police are directly involved in this investigation. As more information is developed, it will be provided. In the interim, all Members and staff are advised to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security.
A Democratic congressional source, who passed the guidance to The Huffington Post, was dispirited and a bit incredulous with the timing, noting that it Stook several hours leaving staffers with little to tell their bosses back in the districts.
3:39 PM�ET Capitol Police Issue Statement
HuffPost's Sam Stein:
The U.S Capitol Police released the following statement and guidance to lawmakers following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday.SFederal, state and local law enforcement authorities in Arizona are investigating a shooting in Tucson, Arizona in which Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot. Multiple others were shot as well. Congresswoman Giffords has been transported to a local medical facility with serious injuries. The suspect is in custody. No further details on the motive or other victims are available at this time.
SThe U.S. Capitol Police are directly involved in this investigation. As more information is developed, it will be provided. In the interim, all Members and staff are advised to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security.
A Democratic congressional source, who passed the guidance to The Huffington Post, was dispirited and a bit incredulous with the timing, noting that it Stook several hours leaving staffers with little to tell their bosses back in the districts.
3:37 PM�ET Pelosi: 'Terrible Act Of Violence,' 'National Tragedy'
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement:
"It is with the deepest sadness that we have received word of the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff, and her constituents. This terrible act of violence is a national tragedy, and today is a very sad day for our country."My prayers, and the prayers of all Members of Congress, go out to her husband, Captain Mark Kelly, their family, and to all of the staff and others who were victims of this horrible attack.
"Congresswoman Giffords is a brilliant and courageous Member of Congress, bringing to Washington the views of a new generation of national leaders. It is especially tragic that she was attacked as she was meeting with her constituents whom she serves with such dedication and distinction."
3:35 PM�ET Members Of Congress Avoiding Mass Town Hall Meetings
HuffPost's Howard Fineman:
Members of Congress and other politicians in embattled Arizona -- torn over immigration and issues of the scope of government --have taken to shying away from mass town hall meetings, former Arizona Republican Rep. J.D. Hayworth told The Huffington Post.Giffords, said Hayworth, was taking part in what has become more of the norm -- a "Congress in your corner" event designed to meet voters one by one or in small groups, rather in a huge crowd that could get rowdy or worse.
Ironically, the new style of event might have exposed her to more, or at least different, danger.
The last campaign was a "very contentious one," he said. "But that was true for all of us in all directions."
"She is a very impressive person," he said. "And we're all praying for her." The two had been part of a group of politicians attending the funeral of a rancher killed in southern Arizona.
3:29 PM�ET FBI To Lead Investigation
Thomas V. Fuentes reports for CNN that "the FBI will have the lead jurisdiction because it's an attack on a member of Congress."
Meanwhile, Capitol Hill Police have advised members and staff to "take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security."
3:22 PM�ET Aide's Death Reverberating Throughout Washington
HuffPost's Sam Stein:
Somewhat lost in the horrific and chaotic news over the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday is reports that an aide to the congresswoman was killed during the violence.
The name of the aide isn"t known. And he or she will all but certainly be overshadowed in the days ahead as coverage of the event focuses on Gifford. But among those on the Hill and in Democratic circles the death is reverberating at deeply emotional level.
One Democratic operative who has worked in Arizona circles emailed The Huffington Post: SIt is unspeakable. He killed my friends.
3:15 PM�ET Obama: 'Unspeakable Tragedy'
President Obama's statement:
This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tuscon, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. And while we are continuing to receive information, we know that some have passed away, and that Representative Giffords is gravely wounded.We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society. I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers.
3:11 PM�ET Giffords' Father: 'The Whole Tea Party' An Enemy Of Giffords
The New York Post:
Her father Spencer Giffords, 75, wept when asked if his 40-year-old daughter had any enemies."Yeah," he told The Post. "The whole tea party."
3:05 PM�ET MSNBC: Federal Judge Shot
MSNBC reports that a federal judge was shot at the scene, and may have been killed, but the latter is unconfirmed.
3:03 PM�ET Palin: Shooting 'Tragic'
Sarah Palin has issued a brief statement on the shooting:
My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona.On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice.
3:01 PM�ET Semiautomatic Weapon Used?
Sources tell MSNBC that a semiautomatic weapon was used in the shooting.
2:59 PM�ET Hospital: Giffords, 9 Others In Surgery
Darci Slaten, a public information officer at University Medical Center, tells CNN that Giffords and nine others are in surgery. Slaten says that Giffords "is currently in surgery for a gunshot wound to the head."
2:55 PM�ET Staffer Dead
AP: At least one Giffords staffer has been killed.
2:48 PM�ET Boehner 'Horrified'
Speaker of the House John Boehner issued the following statement about today's shooting:
SI am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country."
2:44 PM�ET Giffords' Tweet
Giffords' last tweet before the shooting: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."
2:40 PM�ET Death Reports Retracted
CNN, Reuters & NPR no longer report that Giffords is dead.
2:37 PM�ET Giffords Alive And In Surgery
A hospital spokeswoman tells MSNBC that Giffords is alive, still in surgery.
2:31 PM�ET Still Alive?
MSNBC says a surgeon on the scene claims that Giffords is still alive, in critical condition.
2:30 PM�ET Chilling
While there is no evidence at this point to suggest that the shooting was politically motivated, Matt Yglesias points out that an anti-Giffords event was held in June with the billing: "Get on Target for Victory in November. Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office. Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly."
Rep. Giffords was also on Sarah Palin's "target list."
As noted earlier, a gun was dropped at a Giffords event in 2009, and her office was vandalized in March.
2:16 PM�ET 'At Least 4 Dead'
University Medical Center says that at least four are dead.
2:14 PM�ET The Shooter: 'Fringe Character'
A source talks to Gawker about the shooter:
The man was young, mid-to-late 20s, white clean-shaven with short hair and wearing dark clothing and said nothing during the shooting or while being held down. He didn't look like a businessman, but more of a "fringe character," our source said.
2:13 PM�ET Confirmed Killed
Reuters, others confirm that Giffords has died.
2:08 PM�ET Giffords Reportedly Dead
Rep. Giffords is dead, according to NPR.
2:06 PM�ET No Known Threats
According to CNN's Mike Brooks, sources with the U.S. Capitol Police say there were no known threats against Rep. Giffords.
In 2009, a gun was dropped at a Giffords event.
1:55 PM�ET More On Giffords
Rep. Giffords, who is 40, is married to an astronaut. Jonathan Allen of Politico says that Giffords is involved with immigration and armed services issues.
1:51 PM�ET At Least 12 Reportedly Shot
A Pima County sheriff's spokesman says at least 12 people were shot at the event. One person is in custody.
1:50 PM�ET Medical Response
Pekau also tells CNN that three emergency evacuation helicopters are at the scene of the shooting.
1:46 PM�ET 'Two Bodies'
Jason Pekau, a Sprint employee who works near the Safeway where the shooting occurred, tells CNN: "I see two bodies laying on the sidewalk in front of the Safeway."
1:42 PM�ET More On Giffords
Rep. Giffords, an Arizona Democrat, was first elected to the House in 2006. She represents the state's 8th Congressional District.
1:40 PM�ET 'Firing Indiscriminately'
According to MSNBC, the shooter ran into a "crowded area" and began "firing indiscriminately."
1:37 PM�ET Shooter Reportedly In Custody
Giffords was talking to a couple when the suspect ran up firing indiscriminately and then ran off, Michaels said. According to other witnesses, he was tackled by a bystander and taken into custody.
1:25 PM�ET Safeway Shooting
According to KOLD, a Tucson CBS affiliate, the shooting occurred just after 10:00 AM local time at a Safeway grocery store. KOLD has not confirmed that Rep. Giffords was shot.
1:19 PM�ET At Least Five Others Hurt
NPR reports that Giffords was shot at a public event at a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz. Peter Michaels of Arizona Public Media tells NPR that at least five others, including staff, were hurt as well.
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