Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) Shot

[SSHoya]

www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132764367/congresswoman-shot-in-arizona

[TBird41]

That's horrible.

She's a really good representative too--made a point of meeting w/ constituents, listening to the other side of the aisle and generally doing what everyone wants their Rep. to do.

Hopefully she pulls through, though this headline (the link isn't working now) doesn't bode well:

tucsoncitizen.com/three-sonorans/2011/01/08/gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-head-in-tucson/

[jerseyhoya34]

The local reports, including the one linked by TBird, are not promising at all. The idea that bystanders apparently had to tackle the perpetrator does not speak well of the security presence. Hopefully we'll get more information about the perpetrator shortly. In the meanwhile, thoughts/prayers to the victims.

[TBird41]

Jan 8, 2011 13:47:44 GMT -5 @jerseyhoya34 said:

The local reports, including the one linked by TBird, are not promising at all. The idea that bystanders apparently had to tackle the perpetrator does not speak well of the security presence. Hopefully we'll get more information about the perpetrator shortly. In the meanwhile, thoughts/prayers to the victims.

Having been a part of similar town halls, there was probably no security beyond her staff from D.C./the district, especially b/c she held this type of event almost every weekend.

[SSHoya]

CNN reports via an eyewitness at the scene that 15-20 shots fired, perhaps 2 or 3 dead, and 12 or so injured, perhaps some of her staffers.

[jerseyhoya34]

Thanks for the insight. In other words, you would not have as much as an officer from the local police force just as a matter of routine? Yikes... Apparently, Gifford's office in AZ had been vandalized last year, and there have been guns spotted/dropped at her events before.

Latest reports have 7 shot, including 5 staffers, the congresswoman, and one more. Still murky information. Hopefully all were merely grazings but probably not likely if the reports of point blank range are accurate.

[SSHoya]

CNN is saying that a suspect is in custody. (Mike Brooks CNN Law Enforcement Analyst)

[jerseyhoya34]

Local TV and the AP confirm that the Congresswoman was shot in the head. She is at University Hospital with condition unknown at this time. Seems like SS's report is more timely as far as the count goes, sadly.

Local tv report update from the hospital - 7 shot/remain hospitalized, 4 dead (unclear if the 4 are included in the 7 figure). Identities not released/available at this time. Numbers still seem murky.

[TBird41]

Jan 8, 2011 13:53:46 GMT -5 @jerseyhoya34 said:

Thanks for the insight. In other words, you would not have as much as an officer from the local police force just as a matter of routine? Yikes... Apparently, Gifford's office in AZ had been vandalized last year, and there have been guns spotted/dropped at her events before.

Latest reports have 7 shot, including 5 staffers, the congresswoman, and one more. Still murky information. Hopefully all were merely grazings but probably not likely if the reports of point blank range are accurate.

I didn't know about the prior incidents. In that case, yeah, she might have had a cop there, but most Reps. meet with constituents all the time at public gatherings w/ no security at all.

[jerseyhoya34]

NPR is reporting that the Congresswoman is one of the 4 fatalities with additional fatalities possible beyond the 3 others (they believe 7 in total). No confirmation as yet from other sources with an apparent lid from the hospital.
www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132764367/congresswoman-shot-in-arizona

UPDATE: The local sheriff is reporting that Giffords is alive and in surgery. It looks like we may have to wait for the hospital to say something. MSNBC is retracting reports of her death.

[The Stig]

Other sources now confirming that she died.

Absolutely tragic for her family, her constituents, and this country.

[nathanhm]

Now they are saying shes alive and in emergency surgery.

[jerseyhoya34]

Stig, the reports of the surgery came via the hospital/surgeon. I don't necessarily think this means she is alive or will survive, but they seem to be the most recent info. CNN has also retracted the reports of her death.

[The Stig]

It's been a while since I've hoped this much that I was wrong. Still pessimistic though.

[SSHoya]

CNN has a spokesperson from University Medical Center on live stating that she is in surgery. Other victims all in serious/critical condition.

[jerseyhoya34]

MSNBC reports that a federal judge is among those shot today.

[ksf42001]

Ugh, six dead at this point. I'm still hoping this wasn't politically-motivated, but being a moderate democrat (anti-gun control and pro-Arizona immigration bill to go along with pro-healthcare and pro-choice) gave her plenty of enemies on both sides of the political spectrum...

[SSHoya]

Surgeon says he is "very optimistic" about Rep. Gifford's condition. Surgery completed.

[jerseyhoya34]

Jan 8, 2011 16:03:06 GMT -5 SSHoya said:

Surgeon says he is "very optimistic" about Rep. Gifford's condition. Surgery completed.

Thanks, SS. There are some reports that the federal judge passed away, but I only heard that the fatality was a "young child" during the press conference.

The Tucson Citizen has reported that a second suspect has been arrested. A third suspect is at large.

[The Stig]

Still absolutely tragic that there were any fatalities, especially such a young child. But Congresswoman Giffords' prognosis is very welcome news.