More coverage on the shootings from affiliates KOLD, KVOA, KMSB, KPHO and KGUN.
[Updated at 10:30 p.m. ET] A man who helped subdue the gunman in Saturday's Arizona shooting spree said the man was trying to reload when he was tackled to the ground.
"He was ready for war. He was not playing around," Joe Zamudio told CNN. "He was going to keep shooting. It was not over. He had just ran out of bullets."
The gun, which another bystander had wrestled from the gunman, was empty and cocked open, and the shooter had another magazine at the ready, Zamudio said.
Zamudio pinned him to the ground until police showed up. The suspect, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, is in custody of the Pima County Sheriff's Office, and authorities are obtaining search warrants for a residence and his vehicle. Authorities also are seeking a person of interest but his suspected connection to the incident is unclear.
Loughner is accused of shooting 18 people, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a third-term Democrat who had organized the "Congress on Your Corner" meet and greet. Authorities believe the gunman had specifically targeted Giffords. She is in critical condition after undergoing surgery for a single gunshot wound to the head, but doctors said they are optimistic over her prospects for recovery.
Eleven others were wounded in the shooting and six are dead, among them U.S. District Court Judge John Rolls, a friend of Giffords' who had stopped by the event to say hello after attending Mass, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said.
Also killed was Giffords staffer Gabe Zimmerman, director of community outreach who had coordinated the event to introduce Giffords to her constituents.
A 9-year-old girl also was killed.
The shooting sent shock waves through Washington, where Giffords was regarded as gracious and kind, a moderate Democrat known for her dedication to her constituents and willingness to work across party lines.
In light of the shootings, all legislation on the House schedule for the coming week has been postponed, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced in a statement.
Americans also struggled to come to terms with the event. Many of them showed up to a vigil at the Arizona State Capitol to pray together and share their thoughts.
In the Twitterverse, theories abounded as to the gunman's motivation. Meanwhile, while speaking to the press , the sheriff lamented "the vitriolic rhetoric" in American political discourse, suggesting it played a role in the shooting.
"This has not become the nice United States of America that most of us grew up in and I think its time we do the soul-searching," he said.
"The anger, the hatred the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous and unfortunately, Arizona has become the capital. We have become the mecca of prejudice and bigotry."
[Updated at 10:00 p.m. ET] A House vote scheduled for Monday on whether to repeal health care legislation has been postponed after Saturday's shooting.
All legislation on the House schedule for the coming week has been postponed in a decision by leaders of both political parties in the House so "we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today's tragedy," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said in a statement.
[Updated at 9:13 p.m. ET] Some who knew Giffords and others who just wanted an outlet for emotions in the wake of the shooting rampage gathered on Capitol Hill Saturday night to honor the victims.
More than 50 marchers braved subfreezing temperatures and gusty winds to march to the Capitol and up the west steps to hold the vigil.
[Updated at 8:55 p.m. ET] A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation says the Glock model 19 used in the shootings was purchased legally. The official did not have details at this time as to when and where the gun was purchased.
The gun was loaded with a 30-round magazine. The official said it is likely the extended magazine used in the shooting was purchased separately and at a different time. The official said such a magazine does not automatically come with a weapons purchase and that it would be extremely rare for them to be sold together in one purchase.
The official said the suspect had purchased another gun a few years ago but this person did not know the details about what happened to that weapon and if the alleged shooter still owned it.
[Updated at 8:23 p.m. ET] Officials are not convinced that the suspected gunman acted alone, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik told reporters.
Law enforcement is actively searching for a "person of interest" who is a white male in his 50s believed to have assisted the suspect in a shooting, Dupnik said.
A suspect who Dupnik would not name is in the custody of the Pima County Sheriff's Office, he said. The suspect has had previous contact with law enforcement "regarding threats" to kill, Dupnik said, and described him as having a "troubled past."
CNN has confirmed that the suspect's name is Jared Lee Loughner, 22, whose apparent online footprint professes an distrust of government and a fondness for books such as "Mein Kampf," "The Communist Manifesto," "Peter Pan" and "The Republic."
"There's reason to believe this individual has a mental issue and I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol," he said.
"Vitriol" in public debate was a recurring theme in Dupnik's remarks as he blasted the media for "the vitriolic rhetoric" heard on television and radio.
[Updated at 7:57 p.m. ET] Gabe Zimmerman, director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was among those killed in Saturday's shooting at a constituents meeting outside a Tucson Safeway, Gifford press secretary CJ Karamargin said.
Zimmerman was the staff member who set up today’s event in Giffords’ district, Karamargin said. The Tucson native was engaged to be married.
[Updated at 7:43 p.m. ET] The Army said in a statement that the suspect in the shooting was never in the Army.
"He attempted to enlist in the Army but was rejected for service. In accordance with the Privacy Act, we will not discuss why he was rejected," the Army said in a statement.
[Updated at 7:21 p.m. ET] Jared Lee Loughner, the suspect, had a limited presence on social-media sites, including YouTube and MySpace. Here's a sampling of some of the messages that CNN found on Loughner's pages:
MySpace
December 26, 2010: I'm not going to change the mistakes, you don't know – funny! (I think the CIA watches my-space)
December 30, 2010: I now understand a certain word - Cult!
YouTube
December 15, 2010: If I define terrorist then a terrorist is a person who employs terror or terrorism, especially as a political weapon.
I define terrorist.
Thus a terrorist is a person who employs terror or terrorism, especially
as a political weapon.
If you call me a terrorist then the argument to call me a terrorist is Ad hominem.
You call me a terrorist.
Thus the argument to call me a terrorist is Ad hominem.
December 15, 2010: The majority of citizens in the United States of America have never read the United States of America's Constitution.
You don't have to accept the federalist laws.
Nonetheless, read the United States of America's Constitution to apprehend all of the current treasonous laws.
You're literate, listener?
Read more about Loughner's digital footprint on CNN.com
[Updated at 7:12 p.m. ET] The University of Arizona's men's basketball game against Stanford University has been postponed following the shootings.
"The University feels the game should be delayed with deep respect to the victims and families impacted by this tragedy," Arizona athletics director Greg Byrne said.
The game will be played at 12:30 p.m. MST Sunday.
[Updated at 6:48 p.m. ET] Saturday's deadly shootings at an Arizona constituency meeting outside a Tucson Safeway appear to have “no nexus to terrorism," a law enforcement official said.
This official did not know if there had been any recent threat against Rep Giffords but said there are frequent threats to various members of Congress, mostly via phone calls or e-mails, or mailed threats.
[Updated at 6:30 p.m. ET] U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts released this statement on the death of U.S. District Court Chief Judge John Roll, who was killed in the shootings:
"Chief Judge John Roll was a wise jurist who selflessly served Arizona and the nation with great distinction, as attorney and judge, for more than 35 years. I express my deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his children, as well as the other victims and their families. Chief Judge Roll’s death is a somber reminder of the importance of the rule of law and the sacrifices of those who work to secure it."
[Updated at 6:16 p.m. ET] The Tea Party released this statement regarding the shootings:
“We at the Tea Party Express are shocked and saddened to hear about the terrible tragedy that took place in Tucson today. It is appalling that anyone would commit such unthinkable violence against Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, her staff, a sitting federal judge and the many other victims and families impacted.
"These heinous crimes have no place in America, and they are especially grievous when committed against our elected officials. Spirited debate is desirable in our country, but it only should be the clash of ideas. An attack on anyone for political purposes, if that was a factor in this shooting, is an attack on the democratic process. We join with everyone in vociferously condemning it."
Read the full story on CNN.com
[Updated at 5:41 p.m. ET] Who is Gabrielle Giffords? She's a Democrat who was first elected in 2006. She has served as chairwoman of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee and also holds seats on the House Science and Technology and Armed Services committees.
She won her third term in a closely contested race against a Tea Party-sponsored candidate and was one of three Democratic legislators who reported vandalism at their offices following the March vote on health care reform.
She is married to Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, a NASA astronaut who is scheduled to lead a space shuttle mission to the International Space Station. The two married in 2007, after meeting four years prior in China, as young leaders selected by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Giffords told the New York Times in her wedding announcement.
The article described their courtship as a drawn-out affair between two deeply committed civic servants who slowly found their way to each other. When they met, Giffords was seeing someone and Kelly was married.
After Giffords split from her boyfriend, she invited Kelly to join her on a tour of the Arizona State Prison in Florence.
"I’d been working on legislation dealing with capital punishment. Mark is the son of police officers — well, he just really wanted to sit in ‘the chair,' " she told the newspaper.
The two married three years later, they married at an organic produce farm in Amado, Arizona, called Agua Linda. An avid recycler, Giffords wore a Vera Wang gown borrowed from a friend.
"To a bride who moves at a velocity that exceeds that of anyone else in Washington, and a groom who moves at a velocity that exceeds 17,000 miles per hour," a wedding guest said in a toast to the couple.
[Updated at 5:20 p.m. ET] Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer expressed condolences for the shooting victims - 6 are dead and 12 injured.
"I am just heartbroken. Gabby (Giffords) is more than just a colleague she is a friend. She has always been a noble public servant," an emotional Brewer said, pausing for composure.
"I ask the people of Arizona and the people of America to keep the victims and their families in their prayers, and pray for their recovery and pray that in Arizona we never have to experience a tragedy like this ever again."
Giffords publicized the "Congress on Your Corner" meet-up at the Safeway in her southern Arizona district on her Twitter account.
Judge John Roll, the chief judge on the U.S. District Court for Arizona, was among 6 people killed, along with a 9-year-old girl, officials said.
Witnesses said the gunman shot Giffords at point blank range through the head and then continued firing. The suspect, identified by law enforcement sources as Jared Lee Loughner, has been taken into custody.
[Updated at 4:52 p.m. ET] Chief Judge John Roll was among 6 people killed at an Arizona constituent meeting outside a Tucson grocery store Saturday.
[Updated at 4:30 p.m. ET] The suspect in a shooting at an Arizona constituent meeting outside a Tucson grocery story is a white male born in 1988, CNN's Jeanne Meserve has confirmed from a federal law enforcement source.
Six people have died, including a 9-year-old girl, and 12 were injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, authorities said.
[Updated at 4:07 p.m. ET] Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is in critical condition and a young child has died after a shooting at a political meeting at an Arizona grocery store, a hospital spokesman said Saturday.
Giffords, who was hosting the event, is under anesthesia after undergoing surgery for a single gunshot wound to the head "through and through," said Dr. Peter Rhee, Trauma Director at the University Medical Center in Tucson.
"The Congresswoman is not deceased. She is in critical condition," Rhee said in a press conference. "I am very optimistic about recovery."
Giffords publicized the "Congress on Your Corner" meet-up at the Safeway in her southern Arizona district on her Twitter account.
[Updated at 3:40 p.m. ET] Six people have died and 12 - including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - were injured in a shooting at a political meeting at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store Saturday, according to Rick Kastigar of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
[Updated at 3:20 p.m. ET] A suspect is in custody in the shootings of at least 12 people, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, at a constituent meeting at an Arizona grocery store, the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement.
"The suspect is in custody. No further details on the motive or other victims are available at this time," the statement said. "The U.S. Capitol Police are directly involved in this investigation. As more information is developed, it will be provided. In the interim, all Members and staff are advised to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security."
A statement from President Obama confirmed that some people had died.
"This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tucson, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. And while we are continuing to receive information, we know that some have passed away, and that Representative Giffords is gravely wounded," he said.
"We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society. I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers."
[Updated at 3:00 p.m. ET] Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is currently undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound to the head, a spokeswoman for the University Medical Center in Tucson said.
Nine patients were brought to the hospital, including a child. All of them are in either serious or critical condition and are undergoing surgery, spokeswoman Darci Slaten said.
A federal judge was also among those shot, a law enforcement official said. It is not clear whether he was among those taken to the hospital.
[Updated at 2:43 p.m. ET] There were conflicting reports Saturday about the condition of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords following a shooting Saturday at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store. Giffords' press secretary said the congresswoman remains in surgery for her injuries, disputing an earlier report from a law enforcement source saying she had died.
[Updated at 2:23 p.m. ET] U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords died Saturday after a gunman opened fire at a Tucson, Arizona grocery store, a law enforcement source said. Giffords, who had been holding a meeting with constituents, was among at least 12 people shot.
[Updated at 1:51 p.m. ET] U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among at least 12 people shot at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store, a Democratic source told CNN's Dana Bash. The source called her injuries "pretty serious."
[Updated at 1:41 p.m. ET] U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was meeting with constituents at a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Arizona, where at least 12 people were injured in a shooting shortly after 10 a.m. MST Saturday, a spokesman for the Pima County sheriff's Department said. It is unclear whether Giffords was among those hurt.
"Several" people were shot Saturday at a grocery store in Tucson,
Arizona, a spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff's Department said. No other details were immediately available.
Others in the other article are saying we need more guns to protect from these people....arent guns the issue in the first place? People dont kill people ... guns kill people. If they didnt have a gun in the first place it wouldnt have happened.
Nieve to say the least.
I don't think I've ever seen a gun jump offa shelf and kill someone. People DO kill people.
People dont kill people??!? Fail
No! People who are armed and sane do not go around shooting people for the fun of it. It is to protect themselves and others from the whack jobs. No matter how many guns you try to remove from the good, law abiding citizens, there will always be criminals who get them and use them for evil.
It actually the opposite, people kill people, if you have any type of weapon, a "person" has to use that weapon or the weapon is useless by itself. We need to allow everyone over 21 who pasts a psycological exam to be able to carry guns legally. Otherwise we just strip ourselves of protection from the very thing that cannot be controlled completely by our government or anyone for that matter. If you can't handle living in a free country, move to China.
You all obviously aren't intelligent enough to understand that statement. It means that if there is a gun, someone will kill someone else with it. If there is no gun then its less likely someone will die. There are more deaths each year with guns then any other way. OF COURSE technically people kill people. Get rid of what is allowing people to freely kill others. GUNS!
You get started rounding up them guns there lefty...let us know when you're done...
@My road to everywhere; A person can kill just as easy,if not more so with a car. Facts are facts. Saying guns are the cause is like saying pencils are the cause of spelling errors. Understand what the cause truly is. I take it you do not like to research?I take it that you only follow mainstream media? An armed citizen is just that; a citizen. An unarmed one is a victim. Of course go ahead and take some half baked self derived meaning to my statement as I am sure you and other misinformed will do;but I meant law abiding citizens should own firearms. You will find alot if not most police agree to this as well; oh wait; you probably think the police are the strong arm of the Republican Fascist Big Brother firm huh? Please educate yourself.I am not saying you are dumb; actually I am saying that you are or have the capacity obviously to be very intelligent. Do not follow blindly; do not be lethargic, put self effort into it and find the facts. Do not do this if you strongly believe in a Socialist approach and would rather someone else do the work for you and reap the benefits of their research. God Bless You.
Guns exist. You can't do a darn thing about it. When you solve the mystery of time travel and can travel back in time and prevent the invention of firearms, then maybe you'll have a workable plan. Until then, no amount of laws or regulation is going to stop gun violence.
There are reports of the shooter yelling Allah Akbar, lone wolf?
Only the stories you are making up here and now.
Another comment we'll chalk up to ignorance!
Hey libs and ILLEGALS , lets wait until the facts are in before calling it!
This really a very sad thing to happen in this country.
Finally a comment that makes sense!
Its jumping the gun to say it was done by illegals but I wouldn't be surprised. I'm glad they're cracking down on the troublemaking drains on our society. They're welcome if they come as legal, law abiding citizens that can speak at least rudimentary English. It's sad to see that it's dangerous to go grocery shopping anymore....no matter who did the shooting 🙁
I agree 100% KT!! Let's crack down on ALL illegals!! Too many of them are in the spotlight & still here!!!!
Illegals are too coward to do something THIS public. They prefer sneaking around and commiting crimes in the middle of the night, or getting smashing drunk and plow some poor innocent soul with a car with no insurance, no driver's license, and maybe stolen, and then they run across the border for a couple of months then sneak back into the US at another city or state.
You know, does it really matter? This woman is serving her country and from all of your comments, this tragedy appears to be no more than an excuse for you to display your own political views and point the finger at one party or another. My thoughts are with her and the other victims, and I don't care who the gunman voted for last year.
wow. who let the right thinking concerned smart person into this conversation??? Thank You Sb for showing sanity and humanity during this tragedy.
Well spoken. This is a tragedy. My prayers are with the the families who have to endure this loss. Political views at this point doesn't really make much difference. Whether you are a Dem or Rep; a Congresswoman; serving her country has been killed in the line of duty. That is truly the problem here in the States. There is too much of "My Team vs. Your Team" mentality. We are all Americans.
I believe this Congresswoman was on the "crosshair map" that Palin set up earlier in 2010
exactly!
"Such an ignorant statement"?, when it was Republican Sharon Angle who was running for STATE SENATE this year that floated the idea the public would bring down an out-of-control Congress with "Second Amendment remedies." WAKE UP!
Gonna bring you down to china town fool!
I'm not advocating it, but that was the very intent of the 2nd Amendment. Read the Founding Father's papers explaining the need for the right to keep and bear arms to prevent tyrrany.
Sir that was back then we didnt have the law enforcement that we have now. Please dont live in the past. Everything revolves and evolves. A nuclear bomb does not keep us from tyranny and the 2nd amendement states nothing about advanced weapons and the danger thereoff.
The founding fathers have no clue of what is going on in this year at this time. Sir dont live in the past. Tyranny has already been surpassed our right to prevent it by the exessive sale of guns. The more guns the more tyranny. We need gun guntrol reform. Forget the founding fathers they have no clue about what is happening now use your fatherly instincts.
Time to organize a Nationwide day of protest against right wing nuts spewing lies on the radio, TV, newspaper, or on the stump. Enough is enough. No more lies.
because of the freedome of speech I don't think the will happen and shouldn't. BUT these people could be more responsible for the way they promote hate like they do. Believe me, none of them will see what they are doing is wrong. It is hopeless to think they will be responsible.
I absolutely agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
conservatives in the pathetic state of texas are weird your governor talks about secession do it already
Please don't lump us all in one category. I am a Texan and my choice for Govenor did not make it. There are a lot of us that did not want Rick Perry as Govenor, yet again.
Hey, just because we're from Texas does NOT mean we all support Perry. Governor Zoolander is nothing but a crook, liar, and his interests are for only himself. He lies to get re-elected and the minute he takes office, he goes back on his word. So much for border control....he talks about it before each election and then puts it on the back burner.
Someone who would pay $10,000 x mon rent (of the people's money) for a mansion while the Governor Mansion is being repaired DOES NOT have the people's interest at heart. Think about it...$120,000.00 in one year that could have gone toward education. He is the Republican' version of John Edwards.
Why do I get the feeling that someone's Alaskan reality travel show is about to be canceled?
Why, because you dislike Sarah?
I'll bet the same. She was big into reloading, wasn't she?
http://img259.imageshack.us/f/gabgiffords.jpg/
I agree!
she was..
People keep saying this, does anyone even know?I suspect from some of these post many can't read.
Yes, she was. Her office has also been vandalized. Very irresponsible of Palin to do such a thing, but hey - that's the type of person she is. Pray for Gifford and for the others; pray for this nation. We are going downhill fast.
I believe the State was on the "crosshairs" list. I also believe that the Socialists (oops, Democrats) also had such a map of their own too. What a incredible thing to say that just displays the posters irrational hate.
Stanley, then there should have been voting levers on those targets and not gunsights.
targetted for removal by Sarah, the riflewoman, Palin. Who else is in her crosshairs.
Yeah, the left will have a field day with this one. They'll probably push for laws to stop politicians from using any sort of combative language or imagery in case some crazy person thinks they're supposed to get violent. *rolls eyes*
Give me a break. The gunman was obviously a lunatic.
Would the right or left want the bloody "points" for that?
It should be noted that Sarah Palin placed a gun sight on Rep. Giffords district on SarahPAC website. Could be our first "second amendment remedy" the republicans have suggested were needed.
The only "monster" you got is that VOID between your ears!
right one. this is what tea party wants. are you happy now.
Finally Sarah "bagged" one. I hope this "Christian" is REAL proud of herself. You Betcha.
Congresswoman Gifford.. TARGETTED FOR REMOVALby SARAH, the riflewoman, PALIN. watch out what you wish for MOMMA GRIZZLY, off comes the lipstick.
@SB
Agreed
No more glue Joe.
If you can speak another language, you don't belong inside these here borders. That's why God created Canada – to keep multiculturalism out of the good ol' US of A.
FREEDOM ANd GOD BLESS.
I'm sure Native Americans said the same thing about our forefathers
You're an idiot and a disgrace to this country.
That comment can only be one of two things 1) unbelievable ignorance or 2) a bad joke
Billy you are an idiot! you did not even wrote your first sentence right!!
Billy, I am sorry that you are a stupid, uneducated, redneck. I can speak several languages, and I do belong here, and you do not. Let me buy you a one way ticket to North Korea, where YOUR kind belongs.
you are a sicko, you don't represent the way any decent person think. my mom spoke french, my daughter-in-law speaks Chinese as does my 4 year old grandaughter.
I am a US Army Veteran and my wife and son both speak two languages. You are delusional. That is very Christian of you to discriminate Billy.
Could this be terrorism? What are the facts?
Gabby Giffords has died of shot to head, according to Hospital
Oh no! 🙁 that's awful. Prayers are with her staff and family.
According to the hospital spokesman, the Congresswoman is still alive yet in critical condition so, please say a prayer for her and all of the victims.
This congresswoman was on Sarah Palin's hit list: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/23/sarah-palin-releases-political-hit-list-for-2010-elections/
Hit list? Like Sara wanted to kill everyone she doesn't agree with? Amazing. There is a difference in wanting Republicans to beat Democrats in a political race vs. Murder. Use your brain, if you have one.
This is an act of war on Democrats in America – the Palin-drones are itching for a civil war and they are on their way to getting it. Do not allow them to take away your free speech or your ideas, stand up, rise up, be brave and don't let them win.
palin, fox and their ilk are enabling there nuts...
Yes.. You know her slogan don't you. If you don't get it, then reload. She definitley promotes this type of hatred.
Congresswoman Gifford. Targeted for removal by Sarah, the riflewoman, Palin. Watch out what you wish for MOMMA GRIZZLY.