US congresswoman shot in the head
Source: Agencies |
January 10, 2011, Monday
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UNITED States congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was fighting for her life last night after an assailant shot her in the head and killed six others in a rampage that has launched a debate about extreme political rhetoric in America.
Giffords remained heavily sedated and in a critical condition as investigators sought to understand what motivated a gunman to carry out an assassination attempt on the Democratic politician in a shooting that shocked the nation.
Giffords underwent two hours of surgery on Saturday and has not been conscious since the shooting.
Outside the University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, candles flickered at a makeshift memorial. Signs read: "Peace + love are stronger," "God bless America and "We love you, Gabrielle." People also laid flowers, American flags and pictures of Giffords.
Authorities said Giffords, 40, was targeted by a man with a gun around 10am on Saturday outside a Tucson supermarket. Arizona's chief federal judge and five others were killed and 13 wounded, including Giffords.
Giffords communications staff member Mark Kimble said: "He was not more than three or four feet from the congresswoman." He described the scene as "just complete chaos, people screaming, crying."
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said the rampage ended only after two people tackled the gunman. "He was definitely on a mission," said Alex Villec, a former Giffords intern.
Police said the shooter was in custody, and was identified by people familiar with the investigation as Jared Loughner, 22.
A man possibly associated with the suspect who was near the scene was being sought. The man was described as white with dark hair and 40-45 years old.
The assassination attempt left Americans questioning whether divisive politics had pushed the suspect over the edge.
A shaken President Barack Obama called the attack "a tragedy for our entire country."
Giffords narrowly won re-election in November against a Republican candidate supported by the ultraconservative tea party movement who sought to throw her from office over her support of the health care law.
Office vandalized
Anger over her position became violent at times, with her Tucson office vandalized and someone showing up at a gathering with a weapon.
In a TV interview last year, Giffords cited a map of electoral targets put out by former Alaska Republican Governor Sarah Palin, each marked by the cross hairs of a rifle sight.
"We're on Sarah Palin's targeted list, but the thing is, that the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they have to realize that there are consequences to that action," Giffords said.
In the hours after the shooting, Palin issued a statement expressing her "sincere condolences" to Giffords' family and the other victims. The map had been removed from her website.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron expressed shock at the shooting and Cuba's Fidel Castro also denounced the attack.
Giffords remained heavily sedated and in a critical condition as investigators sought to understand what motivated a gunman to carry out an assassination attempt on the Democratic politician in a shooting that shocked the nation.
Giffords underwent two hours of surgery on Saturday and has not been conscious since the shooting.
Outside the University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, candles flickered at a makeshift memorial. Signs read: "Peace + love are stronger," "God bless America and "We love you, Gabrielle." People also laid flowers, American flags and pictures of Giffords.
Authorities said Giffords, 40, was targeted by a man with a gun around 10am on Saturday outside a Tucson supermarket. Arizona's chief federal judge and five others were killed and 13 wounded, including Giffords.
Giffords communications staff member Mark Kimble said: "He was not more than three or four feet from the congresswoman." He described the scene as "just complete chaos, people screaming, crying."
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said the rampage ended only after two people tackled the gunman. "He was definitely on a mission," said Alex Villec, a former Giffords intern.
Police said the shooter was in custody, and was identified by people familiar with the investigation as Jared Loughner, 22.
A man possibly associated with the suspect who was near the scene was being sought. The man was described as white with dark hair and 40-45 years old.
The assassination attempt left Americans questioning whether divisive politics had pushed the suspect over the edge.
A shaken President Barack Obama called the attack "a tragedy for our entire country."
Giffords narrowly won re-election in November against a Republican candidate supported by the ultraconservative tea party movement who sought to throw her from office over her support of the health care law.
Office vandalized
Anger over her position became violent at times, with her Tucson office vandalized and someone showing up at a gathering with a weapon.
In a TV interview last year, Giffords cited a map of electoral targets put out by former Alaska Republican Governor Sarah Palin, each marked by the cross hairs of a rifle sight.
"We're on Sarah Palin's targeted list, but the thing is, that the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they have to realize that there are consequences to that action," Giffords said.
In the hours after the shooting, Palin issued a statement expressing her "sincere condolences" to Giffords' family and the other victims. The map had been removed from her website.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron expressed shock at the shooting and Cuba's Fidel Castro also denounced the attack.
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