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US politician shot in Arizona
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords remains in critical condition while at least five others died in the Tucson attack.
Last Modified: 08 Jan 2011 21:38 GMT
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Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is a Democrat serving her third term. [File: EPA] US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona has been shot in the head at point-blank range outside a supermarket in the city of Tucson while holding a public event.At a news conference in Washington, Barack Obama, the president, said at least five people - one of Giffords' aides, a federal judge and a child - were killed in the attack on Saturday.
Earlier, US news agencies reported that Giffords had died, but trauma surgeon Peter Rhee confirmed that she had undergone surgery and was in a critical condition.
"Gabrielle Giffords' condition is very optimistic," said Rhee. "It's about as optimistic as I can get in this situation."
He said that nine others were admitted to the same hospital, and one, a child, has died.
Obama also called the incident an "unspeakable tragedy", saying that some victims had died while Giffords was "gravely wounded".
Janet Napolitano, homeland security secretary, issued a statement on the shooting, which also claimed the life of John Roll, a federal judge.
"I am deeply saddened by reports that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Chief Judge John Roll and others were attacked ... There is no place in our society or discourse for such senseless and unconscionable acts of violence," said Napolitano.
Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer, reporting from Washington DC, said that according to eyewitnesses, "bodies were lying on the sidewalk" outside the Safeway supermarket.
Giffords, he said, had been the target of threats and Giffords' office had been vandalised.
National Public Radio reported that the suspected attacker, described as a male in his 20s, was "tackled by a bystander and taken into custody".
Republican criticism
Spicer said that Giffords was seen by Republicans as one to beat in the recent US midterm elections and was heavily criticised by 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
"She was not somebody who was appreciated by the right wing of the Republican party," Spicer said.
"She had been singled out as someone who should be beaten at the polls, certainly, and she was somebody who supported healthcare reform which is really the landmark policy of Barack Obama's first term."
On the morning she was shot, Giffords was hosting a "Congress on the Corner" event - something she advertised on to her constituents as an opportunity to meet her and to discuss their concerns.
Chris Patyk, programme director of Tucson's KNST radio station, told Al Jazeera that Giffords is known for being "very personable" and that "it is easy to gain access and speak to Representative Giffords at an event like this, and that is why this news is all the more harrowing".
Giffords focused on immigration reform, military issues, stem cell research and alternative energy, as well as being a supporters of gun rights, while serving in Congress. She was married to US astronaut Mark Kelly.
Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies
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