Arizona Congresswoman Giffords shot, clinging to life (UPDATED)

Gunman in custody:

Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is in critical condition after being shot in the head at close range  Saturday morning while holding a public event, Fox News has confirmed.

Initial reports said that Giffords had died but a hospital spokesman and three House sources told Fox News that she remained alive in a nearby hospital where she was undergoing surgery.

At least 19 people were shot at Gifford's "Your Corner" event held outside a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, including three members of the Democratic congresswoman's staff in Arizona. Five have died and nine are in critical condition at the University of Arizona Medical Center.

A suspect is in custody. Authorities are looking for a possible second suspect.

According to the law enforcement official, the suspect began shouting something before shooting wildly with an automatic weapon. Shots then rang out from the crowd --  a security agent or someone else fired at the suspect who survived.

Sad and terrible events with lots of unsubstantiated early perhaps conflicting reports suggesting the gunman was on a federal watch list, that he was a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, that he may've been in his late teens to early twenties.  Who knows at this point but what we do know is that now would be a great time to fire prayer flares for all involved.

Might God grant mercy.

UPDATE: My son has the killer's YouTube videos posted, including one the man listed as his favorite.  He is clearly a complete loon.

Comments

[chuck aka xtnyoda]

In prayer.

[Locutisprime]

One sick puppy. have a look at his youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10#p/a/u/1/nHoaZaLbqB4

[Random Thoughts]

Good grief, the 22 year-old shooter is an utter lunatic, if those YouTube videos are any indication. My heart breaks for the families of those killed, particularly the little girl's family. Such a horrible, senseless act.

[Charlie]

Giffords is my Congresswoman. I did not support her in the election, but she is a woman of great integrity, energy, and genuine concern for the members of her district. Everything you want to see in a representative. I'm praying for her complete recovery, and physical and emotional healing for all of those who have been scarred by this horrible event.