Suspect in congresswoman's attack faces 5 charges
TUCSON, AZ
Investigators said they carried out a search warrant at Jared
Loughner's home and seized an envelope from a safe with messages
such as "I planned ahead," "My assassination" and the name
"Giffords" next to what appears to be the man's signature. He
allegedly purchased the Glock pistol used in the attack in November
at Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson.
Court documents also show that Loughner had contact with
Giffords in the past. Other evidence included a letter addressed to
him from Giffords' congressional stationery in which she thanked
him for attending a "Congress on your Corner" event at a mall in
Tucson in 2007.
Heather Williams, the first assistant federal public defender in
Arizona, says the 22-year-old suspect doesn't yet have a lawyer,
but that her office is working to get one appointed. Williams'
office is asking for an outside attorney because one of those
killed was U.S. District Judge John M. Roll.
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said Sunday that Loughner
acted alone.
Meanwhile, authorities released 911 calls in which a person
witnessing the mass shooting outside a grocery store in Tucson
describes a frantic scene and says, "I do believe Gabby Giffords
was hit."
Loughner fired at Giffords' district director and shot
indiscriminately at staffers and others standing in line to talk to
the congresswoman, said Mark Kimble, a communications staffer for
Giffords.
"He was not more than three or four feet from the congresswoman
and the district director," Kimble said, describing the scene as
"just complete chaos, people screaming, crying."
Loughner is accused of killing six people, including an aide to
Giffords and a 9-year-old girl who was born on Sept. 11, 2001.
Fourteen others were wounded. Authorities don't know Loughner's
motive, but said he targeted Giffords at a public gathering around
10 a.m. Saturday.
Doctors treating the lawmaker provided an optimistic update
about her chances for survival, saying they are "very, very
encouraged" by her ability to respond to simple commands along
with their success in controlling her bleeding.
Mourners crammed into the tiny sanctuary of Giffords' synagogue
in Tucson to pray that she quickly recovered. Outside the hospital,
candles flickered at a makeshift memorial. Signs read "Peace +
love are stronger," "God bless America and "We love you,
Gabrielle." People also laid down bouquets of flowers, American
flags and pictures of Giffords.
One of the victims was Christina Taylor Green, who was a member
of the student council at her local school and went to the event
because of her interest in government. She is the granddaughter of
former Philadelphia Phillies manager Dallas Green.
She was born on 9/11 and featured in a book called "Faces of
Hope" that chronicled one baby from each state born on the day
terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people.
The fact that Christina's life ended in tragedy was especially
tragic to those who knew her. "Tragedy seems to have happened
again," said the author of the book, Christine Naman. "In the
form of this awful event."
Authorities said the dead included Roll; Green; Giffords aide
Gabe Zimmerman, 30; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwin Stoddard, 76; and
Phyllis Schneck, 79. Judge Roll had just stopped by to see his
friend Giffords after attending Mass.
An unidentified man who authorities earlier said might have
acted as an accomplice was cleared Sunday of any involvement. Pima
County sheriff's deputy Jason Ogan told The Associated Press on
Sunday that the man was a cab driver who drove the gunman to the
grocery store outside of which the shooting occurred.
In one of several YouTube videos, which featured text against a
dark background, Loughner described inventing a new U.S. currency
and complained about the illiteracy rate among people living in
Giffords' congressional district in Arizona.
"I know who's listening: Government Officials, and the
People," Loughner wrote. "Nearly all the people, who don't know
this accurate information of a new currency, aren't aware of mind
control and brainwash methods. If I have my civil rights, then this
message wouldn't have happen (sic)."
In Loughner's middle-class neighborhood -- about a five-minute
drive from the scene -- sheriff's deputies had much of the street
blocked off. The neighborhood sits just off a bustling Tucson
street and is lined with desert landscaping and palm trees.
Neighbors said Loughner lived with his parents and kept to
himself. He was often seen walking his dog, almost always wearing a
hooded sweat shirt and listening to his iPod.
The assassination attempt left Americans questioning whether
divisive politics had pushed the suspect over the edge.
Giffords faced frequent backlash from the right over her support
of the health care reform last year, and had her office vandalized
the day the House approved the landmark measure.
Dupnik lashed out at what he called an excessively "vitriolic"
atmosphere in the months leading up to the rampage as he described
the chaos of the day.
The sheriff said the rampage ended only after two people tackled
the gunman. A third person intervened and tried to pull a clip away
from Loughner as he attempted to reload, the sheriff said.
"He was definitely on a mission," according to event volunteer
Alex Villec, former Giffords intern.