This is pretty terrible (Updated 2X)
Yesterday, I mentioned Democrat Gabrielle Giffords who wanted to cut pay and budgets in Congress by 5%. Today at Ace of Spades I see she was murdered at a political event.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office confirms.
The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.
At least three other people, including members of her staff, were injured. Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson.
This is truly shocking. I won’t speculate but, I’m pretty sure our man Operator Dan will keep up with it since it’s in his neighborhood. I think Jacobite is down that way, too.
UPDATE: According to Fox, she’s in surgery so obviously she’s not dead yet.
I’m surprised that since its in AZ, no one returned fire on the gunman.
UPDATE II: The Left has already started pointing fingers. Firedog Lake and Blog for Arizona
Category: Breaking News
I attended a fundraiser for her opponent, Jesse Kelly, a combat seasoned Marine. Even though I supported Jesse, I sure wouldn’t have wanted to see this happen. She was one of the more moderate Dems. (if there is such a thing)
This is horrible. Prayers go out to her family!
The only thing good to come of this horrific event is that reports say that bystanders in the crowd tackled the gunman and held him for police. Instead of waiting for the police to come in and handle it.
She’s alive!
This is terrible. But I’ll bet my BAH by tomorrows talking head shows they’ll be portraying the gunman as some right wing loon. Another fifty they trot out the “terrorism” label…. Just sayin’.
Fox is reporting that she is in critical condition.
Ltc Tim: I see a renewed call for more gun control in light of this tragic incident. I want to know about the perpetrator.
“I’m surprised that since its in AZ, no one returned fire on the gunman.” Tucson is a completely different animal than the rest of the state. Much more left leaning.
Thor. Absotively. The logic is inescapable. I’m sure the perp had a tragic childhood and easily available guns provided not only the means, but the motive as well.
This would have never happened in DC or Chicago.
Thor,
Of course guns are inherently bad. That coupled with the perp’s tragic childhood should give us pause to reflect on what our Founding Fathers were “really” thinking when they penned the 2nd Amendment.
This would have never happened in DC or Chicago.
I just read this…HFS. Why didn’t someone fire back?
Gateway Pundit reporting that the shooter was an Afghan vet.
And 3 and a half hours until the voiced speculation that it was an automatic weapon and “I believe those are illegal” are thrown on the table.
That has to be some kind of record.
Reading some of the comments on the blogs and news sites…pretty vile stuff. Runs the gamut from wishing death to “teabaggers” to illegal immigrant supporters saying she deserves it for going after “the little guy”. Nice.
Read on a blog that the shooter may have been shot by a ‘person in the crowd/security guy/cop” although the media is all fucked up right now.
Suspect IDed as Jared Laughner. Known dead 9 yo girl and federal judge John Roll. Hot Air has possible youtube manifesto that sounds like he is an anarchist.
Live local blog:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/08/20110108giffords-shooting.html
I’ve been following this since it started. Giffords is out of surgery and in critical condition. Her surgeon said the bullet went all the way through her head, and a staffer said it was point blank to the temple. Her surgeon also said he’s cautiously optimistic at this point.
John Rolls, the federal judge that was also shot and has since died, recently ruled on a major civil rights case brought by an illegal immigrant group against a local rancher, finding in favor of the illegals for many millions of dollars. He had a private security detail due to a large volume of credible death threats following the ruling. It’s being assumed it was one of the judge’s guards that returned fire initially taking the gunman down before the crowd finally subdued him.
Contrary to news reports the shooting was committed with a Glock 9mm semi auto, not an ‘automatic weapon’ as the newsies are sooo fond of saying. The gunman is prior service, wait for that to be made a big deal of to.
If anyone has the stomach for it you can go to you tube and read the gunman’s ‘manifesto’. I did. He’s a nut case plain and simple, there really don’t appear to be any politics involved.
Anyone got a link to his rants?
Nevermind, what a jackoff: http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10#p/u
The gunman’s YT channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10#p/a/u/1/nHoaZaLbqB4
A second channel with one video that is pretty likely him also:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Starhitshnaz
The fact of the matter is this; now, all LEGAL American gun owners WILL be blamed and WE will suffer because of the actions of one crazed individual, that at 1st glance, appears to be nothing more than a despicable anarchist and is rumored to be a fan of Ron Paul, Jesse Ventura and Alex Jones.
I am going to hold off on giving numbers regarding how many people are dead and/or wounded, I am seeing and hearing too many conflicting reports to feel comfortable with posting anything about the shootings that can be construed as factual.
I hate being forced to make a retraction or correction on a story that I post because I based my commentary on histrionic and hysterical reporters that are hoping for a Pulitzer prize.
I am seeing reputable people (bloggers) posting this story, and none of their stories have anything in common save the fact that Giffords has been shot. Wait for facts my friends.
Journalistic integrity my fellow bloggers! Journalistic integrity is ALL we have going for us. Use it, embrace it and keep this REAL!
See other story–no evidence gunman ever had any military service.
@NHSparky…yes…trying to find more to refute on another site….looking looking…
Pima County Sheriff is trying to blame this shit on talk radio currently on Fox News with Shep Smith. What a *pussy*!
MSNBC is quoting a high school classmate as saying he was really left-wing, really liberal, and obsessed with the 2012 prophecy.
My guess is that in a couple days we’ll hear about a history of childhood trauma/mental illness from a relative.
Obviously, Bush is responsible… like Emmanual Goldstein, he’s behind everything (ah, those wacky leftists).
This was an absolutely horrible act that, luckily, ended pretty quickly. Most estimates say that it was all over in 15-20 seconds. Imagine what the body count might have been had nobody reacted to and taken the guy down. Having said that, this is going to be a media field day for the left-wing, “1984”-control freaks. Calls for more gun control, all sorts of anti-Tea Party/Sarah Palin rhetoric flying around. Mark my words that there will be violence against some poor Tea Party member sometime in the near future in retaliation by an equally nutty wacko bent on revenge.
Has anybody actually considered that the judge was the actual target and not the Congresswoman?
Yes, I’ve thought the judge was the target from the get go. However, given how off kilter this nut job was, there may very well have been NO actual target, just an opportunity to spread hate and discontent like a good little anarchist…
Spin it left, spin it right, fact is this guy was simply a very sick misguided individual against which there are no protections. Shit happens.