[ Breaking News ] Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona

[jaxx]

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona

by NPR Staff
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January 8, 2011

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event, Arizona Public Media reported Saturday.

Giffords, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner” event at the Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting. At least five other people, including members of her staff, were hurt, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson. Her condition was not immediately known.

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132764367/...in-arizona

They are saying shot in the head at point blank range. There are some AZ local articles but I can't get them to open...too busy with everyone looking.

[mzmolly]

Beyond tragic. And Glenn Beck and his ilk are undoubtedly, partly to blame.

[jaxx]

(01-08-2011 12:29 PM)mzmolly Wrote:  Beyond tragic. And Glen Beck and his ilk are undoubtedly, partly to blame.

Yes, someone who hates. It's an awful thing to happen.

[jaxx]

Just breaking on CNN....several people shot including the congresswoman.

[jaxx]

WaPo breaking email.....

Breaking News Alert: Reports: Ariz. Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shot at Tucson public event
January 8, 2011 1:46:15 PM
----------------------------------------

Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot on Saturday morning while hosting an event outside of a Tucson grocery store, according to local news reports.

National Public Radio reported Saturday that Giffords, who in November narrowly won re-election to a third term, was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner" event when a gunman ran up and began shooting.

According to a local news report, Giffords was shot in the head at point-blank range. She was taken to University Medical Center in Tucscon; her condition was not immediately known.

[NJMaverick]

Way to stir up the hatred Glen Beck

[OptimistesMaddie]

Dear God I hope she survives. She is only 40 years old.

Fucking cowards these wana be assasins are.

We need to hear more about the shooter.

[There Is No Spoon]

WTF!?

[Beetwasher]

Apparently Congresswoman Giffords was one of the politicians Sarah Palin literally put in the cross hairs. Remember that?

I'm now seeing online reports that she is in fact dead. Damn.

[sandnsea]

Ah no. I hope this shocks people into returning to their senses, no matter what rationale was behind it.

[Peadar O Suileabhain]

Oh no. No. No. No. No. No.

I met Gabby years ago at some DLC functions when we were state legislators. This can't be happening.

[SeattleGirl]

Good grief! I just turned MSNBC on, and they are now saying that at least 12 other people are wounded, and right now, between 5 and 7 people are now arriving at the hospital.

[Andy823]

MSNBC now reporting she has died along with others. This is terrible!

[Andy823]

NPR says that 6 others also died!

[jaxx]

Here is live stream CNN http://www.justin.tv/news_stream#/w/734107120/15

They are saying the WH is monitoring, but people say she has died. I don't know. It makes me sick that there is so much hatred and the Palins and the Becks are flaming it right along.

Just breaking....that she has died. Multiple fatalities. Heartbreaking.

[Baltoman991]

Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Chuck Norris, Rush Limbaugh and the rest of you fucking clowns, I hope you're happy. This is what the fuck you've been preaching about to the fucking loons and it's happened.

Back track from this one you sick fucks. You caused this. Take the country back? Yeah, this is what you meant you twisted fucks.

Sorry for the rant but anyone could see this coming with the hate this fuckwads have been preaching for the last 2 or 3 years.

May the families find the strength to carry on and continue to get the Congresswomans message out to those who really do care about this country.

[Cha]

Mere words could not describe how tragic this is for those poor people. I hope the ones who are still alive will recover and those who are responsible are apprehended and punished with a lifetime in prison.

[Treestar]

The shooter is in custody too. Is there any info about them?

[Andy823]

(01-08-2011 01:21 PM)Treestar Wrote:  The shooter is in custody too. Is there any info about them?

All I have heard is that witnesses say he was in his late teens or 20's. That's all I have heard so far.

[jaxx]

Heard a young man in his 20s...looks like.

This is a sad day for the victims and their families. And a sad day for our country. We must stop the madness.

[Baltoman991]

(01-08-2011 01:26 PM)Sass Wrote:  Heard a young man in his 20s...looks like.

This is a sad day for the victims and their families. And a sad day for our country. We must stop the madness.

I agree!!!

But sadly, it won't stop as long as the Becks, Limbaughs and Palins of the world have the platform they have and are able to preach this hatred.

[Cha]

I just read that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others who were with her have died. I feel so sad for their loved ones and our country.

This is something a lot of people thought would culminate from hate radio and the stupid lies on fauxsn00ze and now it has. I don't like to jump to conclusions but she was a Democratic Congresswoman and there are real stupid enemies out there obviously with guns.

[Peadar O Suileabhain]

I just heard "Amazing Grace" come on a jukebox as I was reading the NPR coverage. I might lose it.

[jaxx]

(01-08-2011 01:31 PM)Peadar O Suileabhain Wrote:  I just heard "Amazing Grace" come on a jukebox as I was reading the NPR coverage. I might lose it.

I already lost it. This is just so damn sad and so wrong.

[Peacetrain]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO1

[jaxx]

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, firing 20-30 rounds and 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-to-20 minutes later. The EMS came about 30 minutes later. Rayle said he was "stunned" by how long it took medical help to arrive.

The gunman 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, although he struggled at first. He was "not particularly well-dressed"; he didn't look like a businessman, but more of a "fringe character," Rayle said. The sheriff's department arrived, arrested the gunman and cordoned off the parking lot.

http://gawker.com/5728501/arizona-congre...cery-store

edit> I don't vouch for the link.

[firedupdem]

This is absolutely horrible!!!! The news will cover up for this fringe fucking nut and his ties to rush, beck, and the rest. OMG, I feel for her family!

[Cha]

(01-08-2011 01:47 PM)firedupdem Wrote:  This is absolutely horrible!!!! The news will cover up for this fringe fucking nut and his ties to rush, beck, and the rest. OMG, I feel for her family!

Of course, the US fucking media will do that like they always do.

This is hitting us hard..those who may have only heard of her today..I can only imagine what her loved ones and those of the others who were shot are going through today.

[firedupdem]

(01-08-2011 02:05 PM)Cha Wrote:  

(01-08-2011 01:47 PM)firedupdem Wrote:  This is absolutely horrible!!!! The news will cover up for this fringe fucking nut and his ties to rush, beck, and the rest. OMG, I feel for her family!

Of course, the US fucking media will do that like they always do.

This is hitting us hard..those who may have only heard of her today..I can only imagine what her loved ones and those of the others who were shot are going through today.

It's already starting. I've been flipping channels so I can't say which station it was on, but the host asked the republican she was speaking to on the phone if he thought it was time to temper the outrage and have civil discussions and that sonofabastard immediately changed the subject! These people are disgusting. Between mail bombs this week and this, I am just sick. I wondered when the President extended his vacation if there was something behind it and I really think it was. Tensions have risen once again with the republicans taking over the house this week. Divisive commentary and fear speech is causing the crazies to come out of the woodwork. The media will cover it all up though...count on it!

[atomic]

This is on Palin's head. Damn her to hell.

[jaxx]

Hospital saying Giffords in surgery now. Others wounded there too, one child. A briefing in 40 mins. Spokesperson confirms she was shot in the head. All in serious or critical condition, all with gun shots.

[jaxx]

Currently in surgery with gunshot wound to head. Others in surgery too.

[Ikonoklast]

Right-wingers using political assasinations to further their insane agenda.

"Second Amendment solutions" equals MURDER.

Anyone calling for such is an accessory to MURDER.

Time to face reality, my friends, they have crossed the Rubicon and elected Democrats are now targets.

May God help us all.

[SeattleGirl]

(01-08-2011 02:03 PM)Ikonoklast Wrote:  Right-wingers using political assasinations to further their insane agenda.

"Second Amendment solutions" equals MURDER.

Anyone calling for such is an accessory to MURDER.

Time to face reality, my friends, they have crossed the Rubicon and elected Democrats are now targets.

May God help us all.

I agree, Ikonoklast. You start urging people to take action like this, and you should not be let off the hook for the results of what you call for.

[azmouse]

I feel sick. I'm so sorry for this country that horrible stuff like this happens.

I was at lunch when this came on the news. I had no appetite watching this unfold.

I just don't even know how to react.

[SeattleGirl]

Here's what Caribou Barbie had to say about this (from ThinkProgress):

"My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona.

On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice."

Stupid fucking bitch! She has no right to say anything other than, "Guilty, your honor" where this horrid event is concerned.

[azmouse]

(01-08-2011 02:40 PM)Punky Wrote:  Stupid fucking bitch! She has no right to say anything other than, "Guilty, your honor" where this horrid event is concerned.

Amen.

[Beetwasher]

On the most recommended right now on DKos:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1...Vandalized

In DFP GP:

http://democratsforprogress.com/forum/sh...p?tid=1554

[kahuna]

Per news conference, the only death confirmed is a nine year old child.

[SeattleGirl]

(01-08-2011 03:04 PM)kahuna Wrote:  Per news conference, the only death confirmed is a nine year old child.

That brought me to tears.