Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy in Arizona today.
**NOTE: The first NPR report said Rep. Giffords was killed. Local reports later confirmed she is alive and in critical condition. News stories are updated throughout the post.**
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 was outside a Tucson grocery store when a gunman ran up and began firing indiscriminately. The suspect was taken into police custody.
Her last Tweet before the shooting:
My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later.
First-hand accounts from an eye witness.
Gawker: Arizona Congresswoman Shot Outside Grocery Store (Update)
We spoke to an eyewitness, Steven Rayle who was on the scene at the time of the shooting and helped to hold the suspect down while waiting for police. Here’s what he said:
The event was very informal: Gifford had set up a table outside the Safeway and about 20-30 people were gathered to talk to her. The gunman, who may have come from inside the Safeway, walked up and shot Gifford in the head first. According to Rayle, who is a former ER doctor, Gifford was able to move her hands after being shot.
After shooting Gifford, the gunman opened fire indiscriminately for a few seconds, hitting a number of people, including a kid no older than 10 years old. Rayle hid behind a concrete pole and pretended to be dead. When the gunman apparently ran out of ammunition he attempted to flee, but a member of Gifford’s staff tackled him. Rayle helped hold the gunman down while waiting for the sheriff to arrive, about 15-or 20 minutes later. 30 minutes later the EMS came. Rayle said he was “stunned” by how long it took medical help to arrive.
The man was young, mid-to-late 20s, white, clean-shaven with short hair and wearing dark clothing and said nothing during the shooting or while being held down. He didn’t look like a businessman, but more of a “fringe character,” Rayle said
UPDATE (2:44 pm): MSNBC & Reuters report Rep. Giffords is alive and in surgery.
FLASH: Congresswoman Giffords still alive, in surgery, nine other patients brought in from shooting: hospital spokeswoman
NPR has updated its headline:
NPR: Arizona Congresswoman Shot By Gunman
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by a gunman at a public event in Tucson on Saturday. There are conflicting reports about whether she was killed.
UPDATE (2:51 pm): Her Chief of Staff confirms she is alive.
EvanGlassCNN: Rep Giffords’ chief of staff says the Congresswoman is in surgery; reports she died are “inaccurate”
Speaker John Boehner issues a statement condemning the attacks.
Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement condemning the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and members of her staff today in Tuscon, AZ:
“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.”
AP just reports an unspecified aide to Giffords has died.
President Obama releases a statement
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.
Huffington Post: Jared Lee Loughner identified as the shooter
And here’s Jared Lee Loughner’s YouTube page:
Update (January 9, 2011)
POLITICO’s Meredith Shiner: Young intern saved Gabrielle Giffords Life
TUSCON — A heroic young intern for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords – who had been on the job for only five days – quickly rushed to stop the bleeding moments after she had been shot and his quick thinking is being credited with saving the congresswoman’s life.
The Arizona Republic published a profile of 20-year-old University of Arizona junior Daniel Hernandez, revealing he was standing 30 feet from Giffords when shots were fired outside a local Safeway — and that he ran toward them.
The Arizona Republic: Daniel Hernandez, intern, stays by Gabrielle Giffords’ side
Using his hand, Hernandez applied pressure to the entry wound on her forehead. He pulled her into his lap, holding her upright against him so she wouldn’t choke on her own blood. Giffords was conscious, but quiet.
…
Hernandez used his hand to apply pressure until someone from inside Safeway brought him clean smocks from the meat department. He used them to apply pressure on the entrance wound, unaware there was an exit wound. He never let go of her.He stayed with Giffords until paramedics arrived. They strapped her to a board and loaded her into an ambulance. Hernandez climbed in with her. On the ride to the hospital, he held her hand. She squeezed his back.
When they arrived at the hospital, Hernandez was soaked in blood. His family brought him clean clothes because the FBI took his for evidence.
Arizona Daily Star: Born, died between 2 tragedies
Aspiring politician Christina-Taylor Green was born in the midst of tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, and died Saturday morning while trying to meet Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.