Merged Rep. Giffords Shot In Tucson

[Skeptic Ginger]

The Telegraph, UK:

A respected US website reported another eye-witness, Steven Rayle, who was on the scene at the time of the shooting and helped to hold the suspect down while waiting for police. He told Gawker.com: “The event was very informal: Giffords had set up a table outside the Safeway and about 20-30 people were gathered to talk to her. The gunman, who may have come from inside the Safeway, walked up and shot Giffords in the head first.”
According to Mr Rayle, who is a former Accident and Emergency doctor, Giffords was able to move her hands after being shot.

 

[The Fallen Serpent]

I am in agreement on holding off on speculation for now. There will be plenty of time for finger pointing later. Right now tensions will be running high. This is very sad, and very disappointing political or not.

 

[Biscuit]

From police command via my friend

A federal Judge and a child are reported to amongst the confirmed dead.

 

[TraneWreck]

Yes we do. It use to be through a system that required a background check, hours of training and live fire demonstration of competence. One could not have any felonies or domestic violence charges if they wanted a liscence to carry concealed. In the last year the requirements were dropped and the actual license was done away with. This was a measure supported by the NRA and other right wing groups.

Myself, a concealed carry owner, and every single gun owner I know was against the repeal. It was pushed through by lobbyist in our glorious state capital.

New report from police command via my friend saying the shooter was an afghan veteran.

Yeah, lots of people with guns is terrifying. Lots of really qualified people with guns, not as much.

 

[Thunder]

House Speaker Boehner gave good remarks:

"An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country," Boehner said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110108/pl_nm/us_usa_shooting_congresswoman

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Still waiting for facts, people... take some chill pills.

Like TW says, is there some reason if this is not related to the political rhetoric, that the rhetoric is then OK or off topic?

 

[TraneWreck]

Now she's expected to pull through.

Good lord. Talk about a rollercoaster.

 

[BenBurch]

Still waiting for facts, people... take some chill pills.

Facts are the perp is alive and in custody. So we will some day find out.

I hope he's not smart enough to immediately lawyer-up.

 

[Thunder]

Gifford better survive. That's all I will say.

 

[MattusMaximus]

What the hell else are we supposed to talk about? We're not journalists, we're not spreading rumors, we're just speculating.

And it's not helping the situation.

Like I say, the Tuscon Sherrif went through the same process, going on a rant about how angry he was at the tone of the political rhetoric in the area and discussed the vandalism of Gifford's campaign office and the gun that was found at a health care event.

He's there, you're not. Given the circumstances and his obvious emotional connection to the situation, I think I'll give him a little more slack.

Law enforcement is speculating, why can't we?

Yup, that's how law enforcement is supposed to solve crimes... by speculation

I think you're more upset about the obvious direction such speculation is leading.

And which direction is that? I've seen this useless speculation go every which direction - people on the left are blaming Tea-Partiers, people on the right are blaming Muslims & immigrants. Hell, I've even seen others speculate that this is a conspiracy by "leftists" to push through tougher gun laws, while others are ranting that it is a "right wing conspiracy" to terrorize the federal government. Everyone is speculating in the absence of facts.

And you continue to participate in this garbage. Have fun with the other bottom feeders. Meanwhile, I'll wait for actual evidence before I come to any conclusions, thank you very much.

 

[BenBurch]

Now she's expected to pull through.

Good lord. Talk about a rollercoaster.

A Federal Judge, John Roll is confirmed dead by Fox News.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Police conference right now: "extended magazine"

 

[scratchy]

CNN live news conference coming up...
http://edition.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2&hpt=T1

 

[The Mutha]

Doesn't Arizona have an open carry policy as well? I seem to recall that a citizen could carry a pistol in a holster strapped to your leg if you so desired, but that could have been urban legend lore in the biker community...

No matter what the motivation, the political rhetoric has gotten incredibly heated and something like this was bound to happen with the current climate.

 

[MattusMaximus]

Now she's expected to pull through.

Good lord. Talk about a rollercoaster.

Don't get your hopes up, though. Head wounds from a gunshot are tricky - should could be fine tomorrow and dead the next day. And that isn't even counting the possibility of permanent brain damage. We'll see.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

ETA - my friend says an unconfirmed report that the shooter was an illegal immigrant.

Then we'll have to blame the left.

 

[Drudgewire]

I was flipping around during the conference but am I hearing right that the shooter is only 22?

 

[MattusMaximus]

No matter what the motivation, the political rhetoric has gotten incredibly heated and something like this was bound to happen with the current climate.

Folks, we don't even know - at this point - that it even has anything to do with politics. Seriously, let's wait for more info.

 

[Thunder]

A Federal Judge, John Roll is confirmed dead by Fox News.

I wonder if he was an "activist judge", who frequently attempted to "legislate from the bench".

 

[Monketi Ghost]

_{He could have done it with a knife.}