Ariz. Rep. Giffords, Others Shot; At Least 4 Dead
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.
/ AP PhotoRep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head and an aide was killed Saturday when an assailant opened fire in an area where the lawmaker was meeting with constituents, officials said.
Also killed was U.S. District Judge John Roll, the U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales confirmed. .
A young child approximately 9 years old was also killed, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Giffords is in critical condition from a gunshot to the head, but the spokesperson said he was "about as optimistic as I can get in this situation" that she will recover.
Initial reports by CBS Affiliate KOLD that the Congresswoman was among the fatalities were corrected by her press people, who told KOLD that she is alive but in emergency surgery.
"She is currently in surgery. She is still alive," said Darcy Slaten, Public Affairs, University Medical Center in Tucson.
Hospital spokespeople said Giffords is in critical condition. Eight other patients also at hospital are in critical or serious condition.
The assailant sprayed bullets into an area where the Democratic lawmaker was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Safeway supermarket.
Police said the suspect, Jared Loughner, 22, has had one minor run-in with the law. Little information is known immediately about Laughner - such as his background or a possible motive in the attack.
Police said a pistol with an extended magazine was used.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that a man apparently stood up in the crowd during the town hall meeting, shouted something and then opened fire. Someone - possibly police or security - then shot at the gunman.
The gunman has been apprehended but it is unknown if he was wounded.
A Federal law enforcement source tells CBS News that the suspect was born in 1988. No name yet being released. He is talking to authorities, but there is no evidence at this point that there is any other shooter involved.
The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating the attack.
Members of Congress do not have Secret Service protection. They are protected by U.S. Capitol Police on the Hill, but they have to provide their own security - if any - in their home districts.
In a statement President Obama called the shooting "an unspeakable tragedy," and said such "a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., released a statement saying he was "horrified by the violent attack on Rep. 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.
"Whoever 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," he said.
Giffords, 40, who just started her third term in Congress, was reelected in November after defeating Republican and Tea Party favorite Jesse Kelly by a margin 49 percent to 47 percent.
A moderate Democrat, Giffords has drawn the ire of the right, especially for her support of the health care bill. Shortly following her vote in favor of the health care reform law last March, her office in Tucson was vandalized, leaving the front door smashed.
Giffords was also in news this year for being one of three Democrats who received a donation from liberal MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, which led to a short suspension for the host from the cable channel.
Following her swearing-in on Wednesday, the congresswoman introduced a bill to cut congressional salaries by five percent. Giffords was also among 19 Democrats who voted for someone other than Nancy Pelosi in Wednesday's vote for House Speaker. (She voted for Georgia Democrat John Lewis.)
She also participated in Thursday's reading of the Constitution on the House floor. She read the First Amendment, saying: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the of the people peacably to assemble, and to petition the government for the redress of grievances."
According to her office, the "Congress on Your Corner" events allows residents of her district "to meet their congresswoman one-on-one and discuss with her any issue, concern or problem involving the federal government." Her office says she has hosted "numerous" events since taking office in 2007.
Giffords' husband is Mark Kelly, an astronaut who is scheduled to command the Shuttle Endeavor when it launches in April. Her brother-in-law, Scott Kelly, is in charge of and currently aboard the International Space Station.
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It's appropriate that the left would try to use this event for their political advantage? It does give you an idea of the difference between liberals and conservatives... The fact that liberal ideology goes back to communist/ socialist ideology should give a person reason to pause, in and of itself...
Please, if this shooting has made you feel hate toward any group, and you feel that you might at some point today or in the future, lose control, please talk to someone.
If you have even one thought about revenge against any group that you may think at fault, please talk to someone who can help you get over these thoughts.
Please do not listen to the extremists on these comment boards. Most of them don't believe what they are posting; they just want to spread hate and fear.
Please talk to a professional. Go to a hospital or clinic, or some sort of establishment, and get help.
Thank you,
A concerned American
This was a mentally ill person. The shooting had nothing to do with the "two-party system". Nor the Tea Party. Why don't you start listening to the news instead of the tabloids? Why don't you listen to the truth and quit making up your own truth? Are you mentally ill also? Then please get help.
Mental illness is a true horror.