Saturday, January 8, 2011

Arizona Congresswoman Giffords Critically Injured, Six Dead And 20 Shot By 22-year-old Lone Gunman

Congresswoman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords

Jared Lee Loughner

U.S. District Chief Judge John Roll and 9-year-old girl among the dead

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 8, 2011

Tucson, Arizona - On Saturday, Congresswoman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, 40, from the Southern Arizona 8th District was shot around 10:00 a.m. in the head while holding an outdoor presentation with constituents at a Safeway grocery store. At least 20 were wounded and six people were reported killed, including U.S. District Chief Judge John M. Roll, 63, and a 9-year-old Christine Taylor Greene, according to the U.S. Marshal's Service in Tucson.
The lone suspect, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, walked up to Giffords and shot her in the head critically injuring her. He then turn to those in the immediate area and began to randomly shoot at those close to Giffords.
Loughner tried to flee from the scene, but was tackled to the ground by one of Giffords staff member. Several other people in the area helped detain Loughner for police. He was taken into custody and a .9mm handgun was recovered at the scene.
Later in the after during a press conference, Dr. Peter Rhee from the University Hospital Medical Center said "I'm very optimistic about recovery" and that Giffords is expected to survive. Giffords is responding to commands, according to neurosurgeons.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation (FBI) and FBI Director Robert Mueller was orderd by President Barack H. Obama to be present in Arizona to lead the investigation.
The FBI is trying to figure out what led Loughner to shoot Giffords and at the crowd.
Loughner's Twitter and Myspace accounts have been taken down as federal investigators dig into Loughner's life and figure out a motive for the deadly shooting incident.
Giffords a Democrat was re-elected for the third time in the predominately Republican Arizona 8th District. She opposed Arizona's SB 1070 Anti-immigrant law and supports comprehensive immigration reform.
Authorities identified the victims that were killed as Gabe Zimmerman, 30, Giffords Deputy Director, Dorwin Stoddard, 76, Dorthy Morris, 76, and Phyllis Schneck, 79.
Two of Giffords staffers were injured, Ron Barber, Giffords Deputy Director and Pam Simon.

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