Politics & Government
Local Representatives React to Arizona Congresswoman Shooting
Gabrielle Giffords is in critical condition after being shot in Tucson on Saturday.
La Cañada Flintridge's Congressman, David Dreier, R-San Dimas, was quick to react to the shocking violence that took place on Saturday in an Arizona shopping center parking lot, where a gunman fired at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) at point-blank range. The shooting left six others dead, including U.S. District Judge John Roll, an aide to Giffords and a 9-year-old girl. In all, 20 people were injured.
The shooting took place during a public meeting called "Congress on Your Corner" lead by Giffords in her home district of Tucson.
Giffords survived the shot to her head and is in critical condition. The 22-year-old suspected gunman, Jared Loughner, is in custody. According to USA Today, "Loughner was charged with one count of attempted assassination of a member of Congress, two counts of killing an employee of the federal government and two counts of attempting to kill a federal employee."
Find out what's happening in La Cañada Flintridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
USA Today also reported that police were seeking a second male suspect, the cab driver who drove Loughner to to the shopping center, but the man has been released and cleared of any involvement.
Rep. Dreier sent the following statement:
Find out what's happening in La Cañada Flintridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“This senseless attack on Congresswoman Giffords and her staff as they worked to serve her constituents is both shocking and saddening. My thoughts and prayers are with her, her staff and the other victims and their families as they deal with this tremendous tragedy. Our entire country grieves for their losses.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, issued the following statement:
"Today's attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her staff is deeply distressing -- it is a sad day for Congress and the country. Gabby is a friend, in addition to being a colleague, and I hope and pray that she and her staff make a full recovery.
"It is impossible to be an effective representative without exactly the kind of informal community meetings and exchanges that she was engaged in at the time of the shooting -- and that must and will continue for all of us. In this tragic hour, we come together as Americans to send our thoughts and prayers to Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, those who were injured, and their families."
Schiff and Giffords are both members of the conservative Blue Dog caucus.