Ed Morrissey: Congresswoman shot in Tucson, AZ; Giffords out of surgery, critical; Doctors ‘optimistic’
HotAir.com
posted at 1:20 pm on January 8, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event, an eyewitness 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 has been taken to a hospital in Tucson, but at least so far her condition is not known. Bystanders apparently tackled the gunman after he tried to run away, and kudos to their bravery. There is no word on who the gunman is or why he opened fire on the public event.
Prayers go out for Giffords, the other victims, and their families for a full recovery. I’ll update as more details are known.
Update: NPR has updated its initial report to say that nine people were injured. Still no word on Giffords’ condition.
Update II: Same link – NPR now reporting Giffords and six others have died in the attack. Horrible.
Update (AP): An eyewitness at the scene describes the shooter to Gawker:
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 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.
Update (Ed): Via Twitter, KOLD reports that Giffords is still in surgery. Let’s hope she pulls through.
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