College Was on Security Watch for Jared Loughner

TUCSON - A week before a man allegedly wounded a U.S. congresswoman in a deadly shooting spree, a local college that kicked him out was on alert that he might return.

The Arizona Republic, under the state's public records law, obtained a series of e-mails from December showing Pima Community College police planned to distribute Jared Loughner's picture to staff members and instruct night officers to watch for the former student.

"I will have a photo of Jared copied and given to the swing shift crew and have them conduct more frequent checks of the Northwest Campus," wrote Manny Amado, college police commander, in a Dec. 28 e-mail, the Republic reported.

Loughner is charged in federal court with attempting to kill U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and two of her staffers. He is expected to face additional federal and state charges, including multiple counts of murder.

Six people were killed and 13 wounded in the Jan. 8 shooting spree at a community event Giffords was holding in Tucson.

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Loughner was forced out of the college three months earlier after school officials said he was acting bizarre in class.

College police Sgt. Dan Simmons sent an e-mail to other Pima officials on Dec. 23 saying one of his officers "happened to find" YouTube videos posted by Loughner.

The Republic reported that Simmons described the postings as "more drivel from Jared Loughner," adding, "Doubt there is anything to do about it."

In e-mails on Dec. 28, officers discussed the video Loughner had filmed on campus.

Pima Community College officials refused to discuss the e-mails Monday when contacted by the Republic and referred questions to the Gordley Design Group, a private Tucson marketing firm hired by the college. Cindy Klinge, vice president for Gordley, did not respond to calls or an e-mail from The Republic.

Loughner began attending classes at Pima Community College in 2005, the school said in a previous release.

He "had five contacts with PCC police for classroom and library disruptions," the statement said.

Giffords is undergoing rehabilitation in Houston.