Giffords knows who died when she was shot

PHOENIX - A spokesman for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords says the Arizona congresswoman is aware of who was killed during the January shooting rampage in Tucson that left her seriously wounded.

The Arizona Republic reports that C.J. Karamargin confirmed Friday that the Democratic politician was told in late July the names of the dead, including aide Gabe Zimmerman, U.S. District Judge John Roll, and 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green.

Giffords has been recovering from a gunshot wound to the brain from the Jan. 8 shooting that killed six people and wounded her and 12 others.

Republican mulls run for Giffords' seat
Special Section: Tragedy in Tucson

Her loved ones have been keeping the extent of the tragedy from her until she was strong enough to handle it. Husband Mark Kelly said in June that she was aware of the number of casualties but not their names.

Karamargin says she was deeply saddened by the news, which came days before her surprise Aug. 1 appearance on Capitol Hill.