Feed: Congresswoman shot, federal judge killed by mass murderer in Arizona - AggScore: 12.8

Congresswoman shot, federal judge killed by mass murderer in Arizona

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caption id alignalignleft width300 captionCongresswoman Giffords is expected to survive her head wound after a shooting spree by a gunman. Photo Newsbusters img class srchttpwww.foxnews.comimagesrootimages010811arizonashooting20110108163259.jpg alt width300 captionBlue Dog Democrat and supporterof tight border securityCongresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the headwhile an unknown number of others were killed orwounded Saturday when an assailant opened fire in an area where the lawmaker was meeting with constituents in Tucson, a source in Maricopa County, Arizona told the Law Enforcement Examiner.divGiffords was airlifted to a hospital in Tucson shortly after the shooting at aSafeway supermarket. Police also reported that JohnM. Roll, a federal judge, was also fatally wounded during the attack.divdivShe is currentlyout ofsurgery. Shes alive, reported a University Medical Center spokeswoman. Also, nine other shooting victims are being treated at the same hospital.divdivAt 155 PM Arizona time, police officials announced that the suspect was identified as 22year old Jared Loughner, but the spokesman gave no further details.divdivPolice reported that five of those shot in this attack passed away. Also, the shooter was apprehended and police are looking into reports regarding a second suspect.divThe source, aformermember of the Maricopa County Attorneys Office,toldthe Law Enforcement Examiner thatone of the victims died soon after the attack, and others were taken to a nearby hospital. The source said the wounded included some of Giffords aides who were with her at the time.Since there allegedly were 15 shots fired duringthe attack, its believed the shooterused a semiautomatic weapon. The former prosecutorwho described the events did so on condition of anonymity.Police officials reported thatthe FBI and local law enforcement were investigating the attack, which took place while Giffords was greetinglocal residentsoutsidethe Tucsonsupermarket.The 40year old Giffords whos married to US astronaut Mike Kellywon her third term last November thanks to her conservative record.Her political career includes service inArizonas House of Representativesand the state Senate winning a seat in Washington, DC.Giffords reportedlyfocusedon immigration reform, military issues, and alternative energy while serving in Congress. Recently, Giffords called for more Border Patrol agents and the extension of President Barack Obamas National Guard deployment at the border.Ironically, Secretaryof Homeland SecurityJanet Napolitano the former governor of Arizona visited theAfghanistanPakistan border last weekalong with six additionalCustoms and BorderProtection officials who will join DHS personnel already deployed in the region to provide civilian assistance to local security officials in protecting the AfghanPakistani border.Shesis beingcriticized by many in law enforcementfor her lack of attention to the border problems in her own country as she visited several countries including Israel. Napolitanos office released a press statement this afternoon emI am deeply saddened by reports that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Chief Judge John Roll and others were attacked today in Tucson, Arizona. There is no place in our society or discourse for such senseless and unconscionable acts of violence. Gabby is a steadfast representative for southern Arizona and both she and John are dedicated public servants. ememThe Department of Homeland Security has offered all possible assistance to the FBI and the Pima County Sheriffs Office, who are leading the investigation. My thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her family and staff, and all those who were injured in this difficult time.em