Dem Rep Shot (to death?) in Arizona

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RawStory: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords among ‘at least 12’ shot outside Tucson grocery store

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office confirms.

The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

At least three other people, including members of her staff, were injured. Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson. Her condition was not immediately known.

Giffords was talking to a couple when the suspect ran up and fired indiscriminately from about four feet away, Michaels said.

[snip]

The suspect was described by witnesses as a young man in his late teens or early 20s. He has been taken into custody.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said that up to 12 people were injured in the incident, and a witness told CNN they heard up to 20 gunshots.

NPR: Congresswoman, 6 Others, Killed By Gunman

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office confirms.

The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

At least three other people, including members of her staff, were injured. Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson. Her condition was not immediately known.

Giffords was talking to a couple when the suspect ran up and fired indiscriminately from about four feet away, Michaels said.

According to Wikipedia, Giffords was born June 8, 1970. She would be 41 this June.

Gabrielle Giffords (June 8, 1970-January 8, 2011) was an American politician. She was the U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 8th congressional district from 2007 until her death in 2011. She served in the Arizona Senate from 2003 to 2005. She was a member of the Democratic Party.

Abortion

Giffords is pro-choice and has a 100% rating from NARAL.[8]

Economic policy

Giffords voted for Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008,[9] and for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[10]

Education

Giffords argues that Americans are competing on a global level and that this competition starts in the classroom. She is a critic of the No Child Left Behind law, viewing it as an unfunded federal mandate. She is a graduate of public schools and supports them with a variety of proposals to make them more effective.[citation needed]

Energy

Giffords believes that renewable energy sources needs to be a top public policy priority and she is a strong proponent of solar energy.[11]

Tucson Weekly noted a letter Giffords sent, on August 1, 2008, to congressional leaders regarding tax credits that were set to expire. She wrote “failure to extend the tax credits would deal a devastating blow to the U.S. renewable energy industry, just as it is beginning to take off.”[12]

In September 2007 she released a report titled: The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona. The report states that Arizona has enough daily sunshine to power the entire United States. It reviews current energy usage and discusses how to increase the production of solar electricity.[13]

Gun rights

Giffords has discussed her gun ownership and support for gun rights [14] opposing the DC gun ban and signing an Amicus curiae brief with the US Supreme Court to support overturning it. [14][15] She has a D+ rating from the NRA[16] and a D- from the GOA.[17]

Personal Life

Giffords was born in Tucson, Arizona.

Giffords married U.S. Navy Captain and astronaut Mark E. Kelly on November 10, 2007. He was the space shuttle’s pilot on STS-108 and STS-121. STS-121 in 2006 was the first shuttle mission to launch on the Fourth of July. Giffords participated in a NASA tradition when she selected “Beautiful Day” by U2 as one of the wake-up calls for the STS-121 shuttle crew. On May 31, 2008, Kelly launched into orbit for the third time as Commander of STS-124. This mission in to space marked the first time an astronaut was married to a sitting member of the U.S. Congress.[36]

Giffords’ parents are Spencer J. Giffords and Gloria Kay Fraser Giffords. Giffords is Arizona’s first Jewish Congresswoman.[37] She is a member of Congregation Chaverim in Tucson.

After Hurricane Katrina struck in the late summer of 2005, Giffords spent time as a volunteer in Houston, Texas, in relief efforts for Hurricane victims. She wrote about her experience in the Tucson Citizen.[38]

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    • Edger on January 8, 2011 at 20:31
      Author

    at House.gov is http://giffords.house.gov/

    Somewhat ironically, this youtube was posted yesterday Jan 07 by Gabrielle, and is on her House.gov web page.

    She had only yeasterday introduced legislation that would cut her own salary and that of her colleagues in the House and Senate by 5 percent.

    Her web page is not responding – I imagine it is overloaded with hits from people looking for information

    Very sad.

    RIP MS. Giffords…

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 20:35

    May the Goddess guide her on her journey to the Summerlands. May her family, friends and this country find Peace.

    May the Goddess also guide the spirits of all who were killed today.

    Blessed be.

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 20:38

    CNN is saying that they are receiving a report that she is in surgery. I so pray that is true but it doesn’t sound very good.

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 20:47

    said he is 100% sure she is still alive. That was at 2:30 PM EST

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 20:49

    and in surgery

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 20:51

    Congresswoman in surgery after shooting: hospital

    She is currently in surgery. She’s alive,” University Medical Center spokeswoman Darci Slaten told Reuters.

    Slaten said there were nine other shooting victims at the hospital with serious injuries.

  1. But I’m also wondering in light of this how Obama can do a superbowl interview with O’Reilly.  Are we getting ready to make believe that am radio has nothing to do with this even?

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 20:57

    states Griffith is in surgery, No comment on her condition.

  2. …. stupidly, blandly bipartisanshipthingee, which comforts the nutwingers in that this was a viable option for expressing their views.  The “we can disagree without being disagreeable” crap which always seems to flow just one way.

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:03

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetw

    says

    2:57 p.m. ET: Darci Slaten, spokeswoman at University Medical Center in Tucson, just told CNN that she can confirm Rep. Giffords was shot in the head and that she is in surgery now. Several other victims are also in surgery.



    2:51 p.m. ET: The Arizona Republic is live-blogging here. It just wrote that:

       “St. Sen. Lina Lopez waiting at UMC in Tucson says that Giffords parents are with her in the ER, Giffords is still in surgery and in very serious condition.”

    Various media are reporting that at least four people were killed.

    2:37 p.m. ET: KOLD-TV in Tucson reports it has been told by hospital officials that Giffords, 40, is alive and in surgery.

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 21:12

    Ariz. Congresswoman Giffords shot; Dad: ‘Entire Tea Party’ her enemy

    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.”

    The dad, who was rushing to University Medical Center in Tuscon, said that politicians constantly faced danger.  

    “They always get threat[ened],” Giffords cried. “We don’t really have any information. The police department was supposed to call us but they didn’t.”

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:22

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetw

    3:18 p.m. ET: Local media say that Tucson authorities will hold a news conference within the next few minutes.

    3:15 p.m. ET. A statement from President Obama:

       “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.”

    3:10 p.m. ET. A statement from House Speaker John Boehner, R-OH:

       “I 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.”

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 21:31

    that people were allowed to openly walk around with assault rifles at events with President Obama. What kind of message did that send?

    I’m certain that never would have happened at an event with Bush or Cheney.

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:32

    http://www.azcentral.com/news/

    11:53(AZ time)

    4 patients at St. Mary’s Hospital and one at St. Joes. All five are in stable condition, the one at St. Joes has been grazed by a bullet, according to Jason Finwick from St. Mary’s Hospital.

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:34

    http://www.azcentral.com/news/

    12:32(AZ time)

    Gifford’s press sec says Gifford’s husband Mark Kelly is in route from Houston, sister Mellisa at UMC and at least four staffers were with Giffords at Safeway. There is no word on their condition.

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 21:37

    from her web page that has now been scrubbed.

    Photobucket

    Yes, those circles are what you see when you look through a gun site

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:41

    http://www.azcentral.com/news/

    12:37

    NBC NEWS is reporting that a federal judge has been shot and killed at the event.

    and from NPR

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetw

    3:35 p.m. ET: KOLD-TV in Tucson says it has confirmed there are five fatalities and at least nine people injured.

    State Sen. Lina Lopez, who is at the hospital where Giffords is being treated, just told Fox News that she’s been told the congresswoman is responsive, though she was shot in the head.

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:55

    6 dead 18 wounded according to Pima County Sheriff’s Office.

    Saturday January 8, 2011 12:51

    From the hospital they have reported 6 dead and 15 wounded

    Saturday January 8, 2011 12:50

    AP has identified the shooter as Jared Laughner.

    Saturday January 8, 2011 12:49

    MSNBC is saying a suspect is in custody.

    Saturday January 8, 2011 12:43

    NBC NEWS is reporting that a federal judge has been shot and killed at the event.

    Saturday January 8, 2011 12:37

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 21:56

    on any minute

    http://www.kold.com/global/vid

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 22:04

    Giffords surgery has been completed. The bullet wound was through and through. She is in critical condition still under anesthesia. The next 24 hours are critical

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 22:04

    surgeon “optomistic”

    bullet went “through & through”

    a 9 yr old died.

    • TMC on January 8, 2011 at 22:35

    is a white male, born in 1988. No one is concluding that he was the lone suspect, still under investigation. The next news conference is at 6 PM EST

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 22:35

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetw

    4:30 p.m. ET: Because the Associated Press is reporting that it has been told by “people familiar with the investigation” that the suspect is named Jared Lee Loughner, there’s a rush to see these YouTube clips from someone saying that is his name – who writes of “conscience dreaming,” a “new currency,” English grammar, “mind control” and brainwashing. He concludes one video with the words “if I have my civil rights, then this message wouldn’t have happen” [sic].

    We need to be clear, though: There is no official word yet from authorities about the suspect’s name. And any connection to the YouTube clips also has yet to be definitely made.

    4:20 p.m. ET: President Obama is expected to speak about this momentarily.

    4:19 p.m. ET. More on another of the fatalities, from the AP:

    “U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales confirmed to the Associated Press that U.S. District Judge John Roll died in the attack Saturday.”

    • RiaD on January 8, 2011 at 22:48

    azcentral:

    Two of the patients at the NW Medical Center were transferred to UMC and are in stable condition.

    1:47

    azcentral:

    Obama called Gov. Brewer this afternoon and she will hold her news conference after the President ends his remarks.

  3. within hours.

    http://www.infowars.com/arizon

  4. The bullet went through on the left side.

    Injury would affect right side mobility, speech and speech recognition in most people.

    He also said she could not “mechanically” open her eyes.

  5. …and this is not the only person from the lunatic fringe who has been acting out violently…but there will be an effort to paint this guy as disassociated from the larger right-wing conversation (“goth, pot-smoking loner” is a description i’ve already heard), and i would suggest that we should not allow anyone to get away with that sort of framing.

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