US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot as six die in Arizona massacre

Democrat is in critical condition after gunman shot her in the head, before he turned gun on crowd leaving several dead

guardian.co.uk, Ben Quinn, Saturday 8 January 2011

Gabrielle Giffords, right, the Democrat representative for Arizona’s
8th district, in Washington last week. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

A US congresswoman was shot in the head at point blank range today and six people reportedly killed, including a nine-year-old child and a federal judge, at a public meeting outside a grocery shop in Arizona.

Gabrielle Giffords, a 40-year-old Democratic member of the House of Representatives, was airlifted to University Medical Centre where she underwent surgery. A surgeon at the hospital said Giffords was in a critical condition following the operation last night but added: "I am very optimistic about her."

Describing the shooting as "an unspeakable tragedy," President Barack Obama asked people to pray for "a friend of mine" who was battling for her life. "While we are continuing to receive information, we know that some have passed away, and that Representative Giffords is gravely wounded," he said. "Gaby is not only an extraordinary public servant but also someone who is warm and kind, who was liked by her colleagues and her constituents." He added that it was not suprising that she had been "doing what she always does, listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbours" and said he had asked the FBI to oversee the investigation into the shooting.

Giffords' assailant was last night named as 22-year-old Afghanistan veteran Jared Lee Loughner (corr). He was described by eyewitnesses at the Arizona shooting as a young white man who looked like a "fringe character," clean-shaven with short hair and wearing dark clothing.

After shooting Gifford, he used an automatic weapon to shoot up to 30 people leaving several dead and 18 wounded, many of whom were also airlifted to hospital. Among the dead were the child and US District Judge John Roll, who had been involved in immigration cases and had previously received death threats, according to US Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales.

Candles lit up for victims of Arizona shooting

Candles are seen lighted up for those dead and injured people during a shooting outside the medical center of Arizona University in Tucson, Arizona, United States, Jan. 8, 2011. The alleged shooter intended to kill Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when he pulled the trigger of a pistol in a shooting spree which also claimed lives of five others including U.S.District Judge John Roll and wounded 12 others at a supermarket in northwest Tucson, Arizona Saturday morning, officials said. (Xinhua/Qi Heng)

Only when Laughner ran out of ammunition did he attempt to flee before being tackled by one of Gifford's aides who pinned him down until police arrived.

Giffords had been named as a political campaign target for conservatives in November's elections by former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin for her strong support of Obama's reforms. Palin had published a "target map" on her website using images of gun sights to identify 20 House Democrats, including Giffords, for backing the new health care law.

Palin came under huge criticism again last night for her campaign and issued a statement via her Facebook page offering her "sincere condolences" to Giffords and her family.

The shooting happened shortly after 10am local time outside a Safeway store in Tucson where Laughner ran up and opened fire on Giffords while she was talking to a couple. The event, called "Congress on Your Corner", allowed members of her 8th Congressional district to meet her. Giffords herself had used Twitter shortly before the shooting, saying: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later.".

Eyewitnesses said that the gunman ran into a "crowded area" and began "firing indiscriminately". Andrea Gooden, a witness who was working across the road from the scene, said: "I heard about 15 shots. Then there were people racing across the parking lot."

Another witness, Steven Rayle, who was on the scene at the time of the shooting and helped restrain Laughner , said: "The event was very informal. Giffords had set up a table outside the Safeway and about 20 or 30 people were gathered to talk to her. The gunman, who may have come from inside the Safeway, walked up and shot Giffords in the head first."

Jason Pekau, an employee at a shop close to today's shooting, said two bodies were covered on the pavement after emergency services had arrived at the scene.

Giffords, who was born in Tucson and has two children, took office in January 2007 supporting immigration control, embryonic stem-cell research and the right to abortion. While the motive for today's shooting was not immediately clear, Giffords was one of 10 Democrat members of Congress who were the subject of harassment over their support for the healthcare overhaul. Giffords's Tuscon constituency office was vandalised last March after she voted in favour of President Barack Obama's controversial health bill, which has been bitterly opposed by the American right.

At another event in 2009 which was similar to the one Giffords was holding today, a protester was removed by police when his pistol fell to the supermarket floor.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, told CNN that Giffords' office had been shot at before and she had received death threats in the past. Although a Democrat, Giffords was a strong supporter of the right to bear arms and was re-elected to her third term last November in congressional elections, edging out the Tea Party favourite Jesse Kelly.

Giffords is married to Mark Kelly, an astronaut who was the commander of the Endeavour, the final planned mission of the American space shuttle programme, and a veteran of the first Gulf War. She served as chairwoman of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee and also holds seats on the House Science and Technology and Armed Services committees.

Giffords was the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Arizona, the third female ever to be elected for that state, and had been building up an prominent public profile with frequent appearances in the national media.

The US Capitol Police force said tonight that it was advising members of the House of Representatives and their aides to "take reasonable and prudent precautions" about their own security in the wake of the shooting.

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