Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot in the Head in Arizona
January 8, 2011 - 3:11pm by Julie Kent
UPDATE: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Survives Shot to the Head; Faces Long Recovery
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, 40, of Arizona, was shot in the head outside of a grocery store in Tucson where she was holding a public event. She is in critical condition, but survived the shooting and subsequent surgery.
The Democratic representative was re-elected to her third term in Congress in November. She was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Safeway in Tuscon when a gunman ran up and started shooting. Giffords was talking to a couple when the gunman ran up and fired from about four feet away.
Initial reports suggest that at least nine, and possibly up to twelve people were also hurt. Giffords was shot in the head, and was immediately transported to University Medical Center in Tuscon. She, and six others, were killed in the gunfire.
The shooting suspect ran off and was tackled by a bystander and taken into police custody. Witnesses say he was in his late teens or early 20s.
Giffords' "Congress on Your Corner" events allowed her constituents to discuss their concerns with her in person.
In a weird twist, Giffords was one of the 20 "targeted" congressional representatives identified by Sarah Palin that appeared on this infamous map. She was one of 20 congressional reps that voted for the controversial healthcare bill in a district that was carried by Republicans during 2008.
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Comments
Exactly how low can your newspaper go to make the following statement: "In a weird twist, Giffords was one of the 20 "targeted" congressional representatives identified by Sarah Palin..." Linking this horrific act in any way, especially with "targeted" in quotation marks, is totally irresponsible and reflects the worst journalism ethics I've seen. Shame on you! May Representative Giffords Rest In Peace. Russ Reffitt
This is no "weird twist" that Gifford is assasinated. Palin and Beck and Fox News have been fanning the flames since 2008, no one should be surprised that some nutjob took up Palin's cause.
I agree with Oz. There is no surprise given the attitudes and innuendo, the self-righteousness and insitement the Fox News Channel and Republican Party foment. There is no excuse for this behavior, and this is NOT the "American Way." I hope this helps people realize what a terrible path this country is on. This is absolutely horrifying, and undoubtedly is all because of the aforementioned organizations. If this is what America is becoming, let me be the first to say that America DISGUSTS me. We have to stop this fear-mongering!!!
YOUR inclusion of the weird twist COMMENT is totally irresponsible and unrelated. To outright connect Palin's targeting of democratic reps. is political assassination and totally negates any view that your article isn't coming from a biased democratic party source. SHAME on you for using her death to obtain political gain.
Sarah Palin's political career is over. She incited this type of violence with that imagery. The only good that will come out of this shooting is that people will see what type of nutcases, most likely like you, are trying to take over and ruin this country.