as we've heard from some members, congress should be developing the strategy and the policy and not the f.c.c. and, of course of course from the commission they say we have to react to it. so there's a continuous, you know, pressure and challenge there, and we're going to have to see how that plays out. >> and if you would, in closing, give us a thumbnail of your current work and the type of clients you work with. >> well, it's a telecom technology law firm. . .

share of's office is preparing to hold another press conference in -- sherriff's office is preparing to hold another press conference. it started around 10:00 a.m. we were headed to another event. all of the sudden we saw police sirens and ambulances pass by. within minutes, it was clear that something tragic was happening.

on a crowd and a congresswoman. representative gabrielle giffords was shot in the head while posting a routine "congress on the corner" meet and greet event. this intersection was turned into an emergency center. 18 victims were shot. five died on the scene. another ad university medical. the rest, including efforts, were rushed to three area hospitals. >> there are dozens of witnesses and victims. >> according to the share of -- office, the gunmen -- gunman was only 22 years old. but we are pulling videotape from the stores in the area and other properties. we do not have a vehicle associated with this person.

one of the concerns is how he got there. >> 6 law enforcement agencies are working to solve the case. it is a tragedy tucson has never had to handle and never expected. >> the scope of this is beyond what most police agencies face in any given career. i can tell you, i have been a member of this organization for 33 years, this is the biggest event we have experience. i am a shame that is the case. >> the sherriff's office is preparing for another press conference. they will give us some background on what happened this morning and give us some updates on the identification of the people in critical condition. we will bring that to you as we get it here. >> congresswoman gabrielle giffords is recovering this

evening from surgery actumc. -- at umc. >> before coming on air, a story was shared with me that epitomizes gabrielle giffords. his son wanted to be a nasa astronaut. gabrielle's husband is an afterthought. she promised him an autographed picture. john forgot about it. months later, a picture came with her husband's autograph. that is how she is as a person and a congresswoman. people are gathered here at umc. there are some impromptu vigil going on. people talking on their cell phones. it is a day that tucson, the united states, and people around the world will not forget. faces said more than words ever could on a grim day at the university medical center as

news spread that congresswoman gabrielle giffords was shot in the head. the sentiment was the same. >> schock. -- shock. congresswoman giffords has always been one of the more accessible elected officials. she prides herself and the community response to the fact that she has always been available and open and easy to get to. >> this man always helped the congresswoman make herself available. she was not with her this day. four other aides were. >> the "congress on your corner" was an event that allowed it constituents to interact with it congresswoman one on one.

you approached her and say what is on your mind. >> the chief inside relaxed were read minds. >> she is in critical condition. i just finished operating on her. i am optimistic about recovery. but the bullet made its way clear to the congresswoman's skull. >> she was shot one time. in the head through and through. >> the mayor said her father is in a wheelchair. apparently, he was overcome with emotion. he had family members around him. he wanted to be with his daughter. >> on this day, the mayor wanted to be with his community just like congresswoman giffords. >> how difficult is this date for you? >> there is not a person in this

room that does not understand the emotion of losing a citizen in such a tragedy and losing those citizens will not ever be forgotten. there are people who have been injured who are near and dear to our hearts. we live with many of them. it is a decent demotion. >> it is, of course, a decent emotion on a day like today. media descending from all over the country and even internationally here to see what is going on. meanwhile, at the news conference today, the chief who heads of the tucson police department, said as a precaution they stored gabrielle giffords' residents as well as her office. they are helping protect the congressman from the eighth congressional district. a still tense scene. we are we waiting for updates. as we get them, we will bring

them to you. >> jennifer here. we were just talking with mark campbell, who works in gabrielle giffords' office. he mentioned they lost a close friend today and had another who was injured. have you received any information as to the condition of a staffer for giffords? >> there is another stafford -- staffer who is gabrielle giffords' right-hand man. he told me there was one other a did -- aid. that aid was shot. he is doing ok. he will be fine. i do not have his name. he is one of the district managers for congresswoman gabrielle giffords. there were four aides with her today. we simply do not know how the others are doing. >> according to president obama,

among those shot and killed, arrow district judge john -- chief federal district judge john roll. >> that has not been confirmed. our reporter join us with more on the judge. >> he has been here for decades. he has a history of working on controversial cases, cases involving drug smuggling. tonight, colleagues of the judge's are speaking out about this tragedy. -- roll was appointed by president bush. >> the community will always be

grateful for his dedication and the -- and for the time and effort he put into our community and our courthouse. he was a leader for a long time. i know that everybody appreciated the work he did. >> the judge received death threats in 2009. he was presiding over a $32 million to double rights lawsuit. that lawsuit was filed against illegal immigrants. he and his family were threatened. his family was under protection detail for one month 24 hours a day. >> that was back in 2009. tonight, we continue to hear from people across the country about the judge. they describe him as someone who was always upbeat and optimistic. >> what about family? >> he does have a family.

we are told the judge is married and has three sons and five grandchildren. people are watching this closely like we are. we heard from president obama that he was from those -- he was among those shot and killed. we are waiting for confirmation. hopefully, we will be able to clarify that information. >> people wanted to find a place to show support for the victims. they began to gather at the office. i am as a lot of people are overcome with emotion. but that is correct. people started gathering once they heard. i have been speaking to some of them. they did not know where else to go. they just came here. we can see that they left flowers and candles for the

congresswoman, but for the victims, the families that underwent this terrible tragedy. [singing this land is your land] >> people tried to make sense of this terrible shooting. >> it is hard to say anything. you go into a state of shock. wonderful woman. she loved to the people of arizona. it is almost beyond words. >> huddled beyond -- huddled around a hand-held radio, people try to gather information. they called for peace. >> to be with other people and show our support is something that staying home could not do.

we want to gabby to know we are thinking about her and supporting her. >> these people dropped everything and made their way here. >> i was in my car going to meet my husband at the gym. i did not know what else to do but to come here. >> we are expecting this crowd to get much larger. we are expecting a prayer vigil to start at 6:00 p.m. we are expecting the crowd to grow as the night goes on. >> thanks. we are learning more about the young man accused in the shooting today. tammy is in the newsroom. you have been digging around. what have you been able to find out. >> he is jared lee loughner.

we came across some bizarre videos he posted on youtube. we are getting our first look at who appears to be jared loughner. the photograph was pulled off of his facebook page before it was taken down this afternoon. the most controversial and video on his youtube channel shows someone in a masklike an american flag on fire. it is titled "america, your last memory in a terrorist country." it says, this the video is my introduction to you. my favorite activity is conscious dreaming. officials are in power for their currency. i am informing you for your new currency. he goes on to say, my hope is for you to be literate.

if you are littered in english grammar, you comprehend english grammar. the majority of the people who reside in district 8 are illiterate, hilarious. if i had my civil rights, this message would not have to happen. my ambition is to inform literate dreamers about new currencies. at this point, there has been no official word on his motives. take a look at his myspace page before it was deleted today. in one of the last messages, he wrote, could by friends. please do not be mad at me. the literacy rate is below 5%. i have not talked to one person who is literate. i want to make it out alive. goodbye. i am saddened by the current currency and job employment. i have a bully at school. he also posted diagrams talking

about being a mind control. he says every police officer in the country is now unconstitutionally working. he went to school and spent his freshman and junior years at mountain view high school. then he withdrew from school before his senior years. he also says he is a student at pima community college and he is a military recruits for the army in phoenix. he does have a court history. he went to court in 2007 on possession of drug paraphernalia charges. this portion of his facebook page shows people who inspire him. sarah palin andy tea party. -- and the tea party.

looking at this photograph, i was surprised. he is young and he looks like a normal kid. i do not know that that is a case of someone who goes on a shooting rampage and takes so many lives. i was surprised when i saw that. >> has there been any discussion as to when he is going to be arraigned? >> i imagine it will happen pretty soon. the fbi is the lead investigative agency in this case. we have heard president obama sending the lead investigator from the fbi to tucson arizona to lead this process. they are very tight-lipped. i am sure they will be questioning him in detail in the days to come. >> a lot of people were around this morning when this shooting happened. we do not need to tell you that.

it was an extremely crowded grocery store parking lot in the morning on saturday. we are joined live from the scene with the latest. >> it was tragic and dramatic for many people, not just the people involved, but for people all around the area. the intersection was close down. several people were affected by what happened. we took a look at the video. the street was closed down. the entire lot was closed down and many people were kept on lockdown in the parking lot. a lot of people were coming in asking what was going on. many people were panic. there were not many answers early on. there were a lot of bystanders. people were pulling over and try to find out what was going on. most of the people were held for several hours. we were able to speak to one

bystander who said she came to this area because she was celebrating her grandson's birthday. she found out what happened just a few feet away. >> it made me angry. there has been so much animosity between people. we all live in the same country. we all frequent the same places. to have this type of hatred in anybody's hearts is unbelievable. >> that was one of the people who was standing here looking from across the street. he was not the only one. there were some people who were actually in the lot. they said most of the businesses close at 3:00 p.m. they were let go after questioning. many of them did not want to go

on camera. they said it is a traumatizing experience and they do not want to discuss it. >> thank you so much. she is reporting live from the southeast corner of oracle. >> president obama has called the shooting and unspeakable tragedy. he addressed the nation from the white house this afternoon. >> it is not surprising that today that he was doing what she always does, listening to the hopes -- that gabby was doing what she always does, listen to the hopes of her constituents. this is more than a tragedy to those involved. it is a tragedy for arizona and a tragedy for our entire country. >> the other arizona congressional politicians also expressed reaction from --

reaction to the shooting. >> gabrielle giffords is an ally. grijalva said now is the time to offer prayers to giffords and the families at and to john roll. >> for gabby and her staff, and the innocent people, to face what they face, the press continue to go out for news on gabby. there is optimism about her recovery. that is great. you feel for the people who have lost their lives in and

unnecessary senseless tragedy that just happened. i do not know how we are going to get to the bottom of this. i hope we have learned a lesson. i include everybody in this. the tenor and the tom -- tone of the issues facing all of us has to be one where we do not make enemies of each other. we can be opponents, but we do not have to be enemies. daddy's whole future is in front of car. we pray for her recovery-- gabby's whole future is in front of heart. we pray for her recovery. >> john mccain is out of the country meeting with columbia's official -- columbia -- colombia's president on official

business. senator jon kyl says he is surprised that such a heinous crime would occur when she was fulfilling her congressional responsibility. grijalva says the shooting may change the way congress interact

with constituents in the future. capital police have been advising congress people to remain where they are. politicians say democracy in politics is not about killing people. >> the governor jam your -- governor jan brewer is asking the people of arizona to pray for the victims. >> is an unbelievable tragedy that the people of arizona experienced today. in our worst nightmare, we could never have imagined it would take place. >> pima county democrats were having a political planning meeting when they got word of what happened. >> we talked to the people who have worked with the efforts and work on her campaign and have been her friend for years. to say democrats are in shot is

putting it mildly to say the least. there is deep anger and some fear over how some americans settle their political differences. democrats had already planned to meet to plan political strategy for the year. they waited, desperate for information. they open their meeting with a prayer. >> god is close to our dear friend, debbie giffords and all those who were with her -- gabby giffords and all those who were with her. what you think of the idea that this is an attack that is politically motivated? >> i am deeply troubled by the thought that it would be politically motivated. we are living in this hyper partisan era where people are

fomenting the kind of and we are seeing out there and the rhetoric. i would plead and beg to our people across the aisle that we toned down the rhetoric and have a civilized discussion. >> the red cross is there to offer counseling help. a volunteer will bring an especially chilling prospected. he went to a red cross training class instead of going to the event where the shooting happened. >> i could have been there. it is kind of eerie. someone must have been watching over me telling me, you need to go to class. >> the big chill will last through the evening here at the democratic party headquarters. -- the big chill -- the vigil will last to the evening here at the democratic party headquarters. they are planning other sorts of

tributes. you may see them in the coming days. daddy -- gabby giffords' campaign signs will be popping up all over. people are taking them out of storage to post them as a tribute. >> craig was just mentioning that some people are heading over to gabrielle giffords' office. we have some breaking news regarding that location. we have just received word that the office is being evaluated. the office is being evaluated because of what officials are calling a suspicious package. it is hard to believe that is happening. that is the word we are getting from law enforcement. >> it is so real to say the least. -- surreal. >> to say the least.

our reporter is being evacuated because of what appears to be a suspicious package. >> as soon as sergio moves, he will set up a live remote. but in the meantime, we are going to change gears. >> let's shift gears now. we want to give you a quick look at our weather today. weather is clear. we are not seeing any clouds at this point. that will stay that way for the most part tonight. we are at 58 degrees. our high earlier today was 59. that probably helped considerably cooler than normal to you today. we spent the day at 34. we are typically at 30 a. 69 in casa grande. 55 in stafford.

53 in nogales. our temperatures will cool down to the lower 30's. i expect them to stay below the freezing mark. temperatures will range from 31 to 36. tomorrow, 52 degrees and mostly sunny skies. all the way up to 64. lows acrosst our southern arizona tonight. 22 in douglas. 31 in nogales. tucson overnight at 34. the same for oracle. 62 in tucson as well as in marana. clear skies for the rest of

today. taking us through our weekend, 62 degrees for sunday. warming to the upper 60's by the end of the next work week. the overnight lows staying well below the freezing mark. >> thank you so much. we should mention that because of today's events, our newscast is being extended for a whole hour. the magnitude of today's tragedy has rocked the entire design community including the university of arizona. but the athletic department has chosen to postpone the game. >> the coach put it best when he said basketball should be the last thing on anyone's's mind right now. they were supposed to play stanford today at 4:30 p.m. we were supposed to have that on our sister station. fans being turned away at the

doors. many had heard about today's tragedy, but did not know about the postponement of the game. they will play tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m. the decision to push the game back was an easy one. >> i thank local law enforcement. they work our games. we know they needed to be out and focused on the issues at hand today. they have been wonderful to work with through this process. we know that sports often brings people together. we want to look forward to providing that opportunity to the community, to get everybody together and focus on our great community that we have. >> began scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m. it will be live on our sister station kwba.

>> homeland security secretary janet napolitano is stunned by the shooting. she released a statement. there is no place in our society or discourse for such senseless and unconscionable acts of violence. >> we understand that sergio is standing by on the phone. we will find out what is going on at gabrielle giffords' office. what is going on? >> we got all of the air after our live shot bringing you the vigils. the cpd started moving in. they told everyone who was there

that they needed to move across the street because of a suspicious package. we do not know exactly where it is at this point. we are being told that because of where it is and the cause of the precautions, they are going to bring in somebody to check it out. i am not sure if the bomb squad is point to be out here. typically, in these circumstances, they would. we have not gotten 100% confirmation. everything has been taped off. people are not being allowed near the office at this point. the flowers and candles are still there. everybody was moved to the opposite side of the street so that the police officers could check out what is going on with the package. >> sergio, that is unbelievable. we hope you give us a call as soon as you get an all clear.

i cannot hardly believe that is happening today. our reporter is at congresswoman giffords' office where they are being evacuate across the street. the police called in out of nowhere and started looking at the interstate the-looking at the entrances and saying there was a suspicious package. >> senator john mccain outraged by this tragedy. he says --

>> center jon kyl expressing his side --senator jon kyl and expressing his sadness at the death of judge john roll. judge roll was an exceptional judge according to senator kyl. congresswoman giffords is also good friends with him. jon kyl went on to say all of us will work to ensure justice will be served bully and swiftly. the pima county tea party denouncing the attack. it condemned today's shooting of congresswoman giffords.

our prayers are also with those who have died today and their families. this is a time for all americans to come together to renounce my lens. >> former democratic senate candidate is urging, and caution. he says --

arizona congrressman issued a statement from him and his wife. >> viewers like you are also weighing in today. one man writes -- another viewer writes -- >> during our live coverage this afternoon, many of you called

the news room asking why we were not reporting things heard from other media outlets, specifically incorrect reports that it was woman had died. we made that decision as part of our commitment to you because we did not want to report something that had not been confirmed. thank you for reporting responsibly. other new stations were irresponsible. you can send us your comments . -- at kgun9.com . >> we are going up until 6:00 p.m. to make sure we are covering all the bases about the tragedy that occurred today. >> gabrielle giffords told us

that she was excited to get back to work in washington. >> her big issues were going to be border security and balancing the budget. we now take a look at her political career. >> representative gabrielle giffords was first elected to congress in 2006 and represents a arizona's eighth congressional district. she was elected to her third term where she won a narrow victory. her former upon and sent this statement. you may remember next fall when rep difference' --rep difference

- congresswoman giffords' office was bad lies after she -- was vandalized after she supported the health care reform bill. >> it is sad. it has taken us a little bit. >> because what has bought passively for the health care bill, border security, and energy conservation. last week, the 40-year old was sworn in to the 100th of congress. been mentioned as a possible democratic nominee in 2012 or the senate seat of jon kyl, who has said he will not run again. she is married to a after not who was the first i cannot to beat in outer space while being

married to a member of congress. he as a three-time veteran of shuttle missions. he is scheduled to be commander of the final mission in february. his twin brother is serving -- his twin brother is on the current space shuttle. congresswoman giffords where up in tucson and earned her bachelor's degree in 1993 and her master's degree from cornell university in 1997. >> at our crows were driving around town today, sheen -- crews were driving around today, they spotted many people who work -- who werew -- who were

asking for the violence to stop. there are different political figures who are spreading the message to hate because of the political beliefs. i do not hate the haters. but i am done with the hatred. packs a lot of people i done with the hatred. >> a gunman is in custody after opening fire at a safeway this morning just before 10:00 a.m.. >> jared loughner is his name. he attended the marana school district. >> congresswoman giffords was shot. we have a photo to show you of the suspected shooter. he is 22 years old. we are waiting to get more information about this person. as soon as we do, we will bring

it to you. jessica has been following this story. she is going to join us in just a moment. pima county sheriff's department is the lead agency on this case. we heard from sergio just a few moments ago. apparently, there was some kind of suspicious package at gabrielle giffords' office. those who had gathered there for a vigil have all been forced to move. we also understand from a law enforcement perspective -- president obama told us he was

sending the director of the fbi to tucson. >> we are about 17 minutes away from another news conference by ima county sheriff's authorities. this cut is going to be the one covering that news conference for us. >> can you hear me? >> yes. >> it has turned into the pima county sheriff's headquarters. earlier, they did a great fuss several hours ago, probably around 3:00 p.m. we were given updates. 18 people shot. six of those people died. most of them died on the scene. everyone obviously upset and torn by this event that happened. it shook the city today.

this is the biggest event they have ever had to handle. they are trying to bring together details in exactly what caused this to happen. they will be here shortly. the share of -- the share of -- sherriff is rushing back today. perhaps we mentioned what is going on at gabrielle giffords' office. that is the new information we have. there were a number of people shot this morning. the congresswoman is recovering after coming through brain surgery as a result of her injury. we told you about the suspect that is in custody. we told you about all the people who have given their kind words, thoughts, and condolences as a result of all of this.

right now, we are focusing on the situation at pima and swan. sergio just told us they are trying to reestablish the live shot to give us a look at what is going on there. he and the people at the congresswoman's office for evacuate while tucson police take a look at what ever is going on. hopefully, it will turn out to be nothing. there is a suspicious package. >> one of the people we talked to earlier this afternoon who was there during the shooting at the safeway, mark campbell, a member of the congresswoman's staff, described the scene as a gunman running indiscriminately and firing many times and shooting a number of people.

>> i just want to say the second amendment is not just the right. it's a responsibility. when people who want to be leaders want extra accountability, you cannot make a hit list and put people's name on it. if you want to be a leader, you need to step up and take responsibility for what you did. natalie did someone who served as a federal judge -- not only did someone who served as a federal judge lose their life, but also a 9-year-old girl. this is not funny. if you want to honor gabby, we

need to look into our hearts and say to ourselves, why do i want power? not that i want power. i say to you, sarah palin, it is not sarah palin's alaska. it is not sarah palin's america, it is a shame. i hope gabby's family gets to see her grow old. >> these are the times that makes it tough for all of us because we are angry and we are hurt. we do not know what to do. that is why we come together as a community. i have known gabby for a long time.

one thing that i know about her that made her and makes her such an incredible leader is her ability to respond and not react. it is her capacity to look at the broad scope and understand that not all of us stand here today with the same understanding. we come from different places. we come from different tribes. we have different ways of understanding things. even amongst those who speak english, we do not hear the same thing. we do not see it the same way. we do not speak in the same words. i ask all of you to take a moment. whether you been at the waist or

lower your neck or close your eyes or take a deep breath, whatever it is that works for you, take a moment. find that place inside of us. it can be won with this earth. find a way to be one with each other. will be followed, we have got to find a way to be leaders. everyone of you who have shown up here, you are the leader you have been waiting for. i have heard these brothers and sisters say that for so long. it is up to you to find it inside of your own self to be peaceful and to create peace. you have got to deal with you first, your family, those around you. i hope you take this as an opportunity.

we all have our own traditions. we have people from the christian tradition. we have those of us who are native. we have jewish -- >> taking a look at some of the speeches and events being held in tucson. we will be bringing you the latest official word from the share of --sherriff's department. we will go to an earlier news briefing that happens today. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> this is the head of the university medical center, program. >> i am beach, director here at the university of arizona. thank you for your cooperation. i know this has been a catastrophe.

i will try to give you a brief update. i will try not to give too much detail. so far, what we have that this hospital, we have received 10 patients. of those, one died. we have by patients in critical condition. we currently have -- we have patients ine critical condition. that is all i have in announcements. i will take a few questions at this point. 10 patients we have received at the current time. one patient is dead at the hospital. five patients are at the hospital undergoing surgery.

is now deceased. she is in critical condition. the surgeons have finished operating on her. at the current time, i am optimistic about recovery. she was shot in the head. [unintelligible] i do not know that specific information at this point. the person that did die here at the hospital was a young child. >> was she conscious at all? >> gabrielle giffords' position was optimistic. she was following commands. she was shot one time in the hand through and through. frontal lobe, back loup? -- frontal lobe.

>> are you optimistic or a full recovery? >> i am about as optimistic as you can get in this situation. >> what is recovery like now? >> she is in our intensive care unit. >> is she in a, or is he conscious? -- is she in a coma or is she counted? >> i am waiting for the next 24 hours. that will give me more information about her prognosis. [unintelligible] >> i cannot tell you specifically about any of the other patients right now except for gabrielle. [unintelligible] >> my understanding is that she was about nine years old.

that was the only child that came into our hospital. thank you. >> mayor? can you join us please? >> is clearly is a grave tragedy for this community, a griff tragedy for the state of arizona and the great tragedy for the state of arizona and the this country. i want you to know that what i have done is i have instructed our chief of police, who you are going to hear from in a moment, to give absolute simply -- absolute complete support to the sheriff's office. they are in charge of this

tragedy. our police department responsibility is for the citizens of the city of tucson and for this university hospital. i would like everybody to understand the significance of what this means to all of us. what it means to our country. i did have a chance to talk to- be's father as he came in. -- talk to gabby's father as he came in. i am please to hear the doctor's report that she is still alive and hiding for her life. this is a time for us to say our prayers for a recovery. for those who died today, they will not be forgotten. they are citizens of this country, citizens of arizona in

tucson. i would like to turn the microphone over to the chief of police. he will go into the details of how we can best serve the share - sherrif'se of department. you need the complete information to get to the total magnitude of this great tragedy. >> the afternoon. unfortunately, i do not have much information to give to you. as the mayor pointed out, this is an investigation of the pima department.riff's our role is that we have secured the offices and residences of

congresswoman difference as well as other kinds people and members of the house of representatives. we did that as a precautionary measure. we had no information that there was any threat. honestly, we wanted to take every precaution to maintain the safety all involved. we will assist the county sherriff's department. i have been in direct contact with the deputy chief. i have assured him that we are there to assist him in any way possible. there is not much information i can tell you. i stress and ask that you verify your information. you have two all different press conferences. there are different agencies involved. there is an investigation with he pima county sherriff's department.

>> who was involved? >> like i said, as far as here or at the scene, it was the pima county sherriff's department. at the hospital, it was representatives of the pima department.iff's >> can you give us any information about the shooter? >> no, i cannot. that has to come from the sherriff's department. sherriff's department.