Rep. Giffords shot, judge and 5 others killed at Tucson event
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot point-blank in the head on Saturday at a northwest-side grocery store, but surgeons say they are "very optimistic" about her recovery.
Meanwhile, Gov. Jan Brewer's office is confirming federal Judge John Roll was among the dead.
Sheriff's authorities said there were six dead, including a child, as well as 18 wounded.
Giffords, who is in critical condition, is out of surgery at University Medical Center, said Dr. Peter Rayle, a UMC surgeon. The bullet passed cleanly out her brain, exiting her head.
Rayle said she was following commands, which is a good sign.
The shooting occurred at a Safeway supermarket where Giffords was holding one of her regular "Congress on Your Corner" events, which allows her to speak directly with constituents in her district.
A tearful U.S. District Judge Frank Zapata of Tucson, meanwhile, did not know why Roll was at the event.
"It's devastating to the courts and to me," Zapata said. "We've been friends for 25 years and he was a tremendous judge and a tremendous person."
The gunman has been identified as 22-year-old Jared Loughner, according to The Associated Press.
From Rep. Giffords' father:
The congresswoman’s father Spencer Gifford, 75, was rushing to the hospital when asked if his 40-year-old daughter had any enemies.
"Yeah," he told The Post. "The whole Tea Party."
Which brings us to Sarah Palin, who is trying to backtrack, after being the leader of fomenting the atmosphere that breeds DOMESTIC TERRORISTS like this guy.
She tried to scrub her website, but it always lives in cyberspace.
her ' lock and load' page:
Please note Rep. Giffords on the list.
