. >> one of the six people has ties to northern california, congressional aid gabriel zimmerman graduatedrom u.c. santa cruz. >> the weekend appointment by outgoing gavin newsom. >> a live look from ballmer peak this morning. from the east bay looking to the west. look how clear it is. very cold this morning. find fog just about everywhere and the threat of freezing drizzle in the forecast tonight. >> no major traffic problems but if you don't have fas trak there is a minor wait right now at the bay bridge toll plaza. >> good morning. it is 4:31 this monday. thank you for starting the week with us. i'm kristen sze. >> i'm eric thomas. there's going to be plenty of buzz this morning at san francisco's hall of justice. that's where george gascon will move out of the police chief's office to his new job as district attorney. it was one of gavin newsom's final appointments yesterday. >>> as district attorney for the city and county of san francisco. >> congratulations. (applause) >> gorge gascon was sworn in as district attorney one day after he was offered the job. he didn't even seek the po

. >>> john mccarthy role, gabriel zimmerman, fill his sclneck and dorothy morris 76, were some of the victims. >>> ktvu's heather holmes is now in oakland. >> reporter: julie, imagine you've just finished your shopping, you're standing out here outside your locasafeway and you're faced with a gunman. what do you do? three people took heroic measures. >> reporter: the chaos and carnage ended when witnesses saw a chance and took it. bill badger made a move to bring down the gunman. >> somebody else took a chair and they hit him on the back of the head and he slumped forward. that gave me the opportunity to grab his left arm, and put my other hand up in his back and shove him down. >> reporter: badger and another man secured the shooter on the ground. >> he started hollering, but we held him there. >> reporter: the suspect was down but still tried to reload his gun. >> he dropped it out of his pocket, he was down and i was able to get it before he got it. >> daniel hernandez, a university of arizona junior showed no fear in the face of gunfire. >> reporter: arizona governor jan brewer le

. >>> john mccarthy role, gabriel zimmerman, fill his sclneck and dorothy morris 76, were some of the victims. >>> ktvu's heather holmes is now in oakland. >> reporter: julie, imagine you've just finished your shopping, you're standing out here outside your local safeway and you're faced with a gunman. what do you do? three people took heroic measures. >> reporter: the chaos and carnage ended when witnesses saw a chance and took it. bill badger made a move to bring down the gunman. >> somebody else took a chair and they hit him on the back of the head and he slumped forward. that gave me the opportunity to grab his left arm, and put my other hand up in his back and shove him down. >> reporter: badger and another man secured the shooter on the ground. >> he started hollering, but we held him there. >> reporter: the suspect was down but still tried to reload his gun. >> he dropped it out of his pocket, he was down and i was able to get it before he got it. >> daniel hernandez, a university of arizona junior showed no fear in the face of gunfire. >> reporter: arizona governor jan brewer

nothing pretentious about this ordinary individual who was anything but ordinary. >> gabriel zimmerman was just 30, an aide to the congresswoman. he was recently engaged. his friends still in disbelief. >> it's hard to bear losing him. it is. >> 79-year-old phyllis schneck was a retiree who spent winters in tucson. her daughter, now struggling to understand how someone could shoot her mother in cold blood and why. >> i don't think she had an enemy in the world. everybody loved her. >> dorothy morris' loved ones also want answers. the 76-year-old's husband was wounded in the shooting spree. she was killed. the collective grief for the six victims a reminder what unfolded in a few minutes has changed this community forever. and six people are in fair condition here at the hospital, three people are in serious condition, one person is critical. that person, congresswoman giffords. lester. >> kristen, thanks. you mentioned the 9-year-old victim, christina taylor green. she was born on september 11th, 2001, a birthday that defined her life but in ways you might not expect. it's part of the

the -- gabriel zimmerman. american public, young and old, men, women, and child, friends, brothers, sisters, and children . they will be missed. but not forgotten. this inexplicable crime reminds us there is evil in the world. yet as we look for light in a thicket of darkness, our nation has drawn inspiration from the bravery and quick thinking displayed by the heroes on the scene. were it not for their efforts, there likely would have been many more victims. the outpouring of support, prayer, and solidarity also reminds us that america is a country of compassion, community, and empathy. we will stand with the victims and their families and pray and mourn with them as they cope with this horrific tragedy. madam speaker, i also want to offer my thoughts of comfort to gabby giffords' staff and want them to know that our hearts hang heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with them. as they try and persevere through this very difficult time. madam speaker, i'd also like to add my thanks to the brave law enforcemen

the -- gabriel zimmerman. it represents a broad american public, young and old, men, women, and child, friends, brothers, sisters, and children . they will be missed. but not forgotten. this inexplicable crime reminds us there is evil in the world. yet as we look for light in a thicket of darkness, our nation has drawn inspiration from the bravery and quick thinking displayed by the heroes on the scene. were it not for their efforts, there likely would have been many more victims. the outpouring of support, prayer, and solidarity also reminds us that america is a country of compassion, community, and empathy. we will stand with the victims and their families and pray and mourn with them as they cope with this horrific tragedy. madam speaker, i also want to offer my thoughts of comfort to gabby giffords' staff and want them to know that our hearts hang heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with them. as they try and persevere through this very difficult time. madam speaker, i'd also like to add my thanks to th

. >> i didn't know gabriel zimmerman. when i heard this story and heard he was a graduate of my alma-mater, it hit me hard as it hit a lot of people. i felt this was a gentleman who was doing all of the right things. >> the gabriel zimmerman scholarship fund will help financially chal eng led uc students who intend to make a career in public service. you can find a link on abc7news.com under see it on tv. >>> and there is more to come this evening on the tribute in tucson. a special hour-longed decision of "nightline" will air after our newscast at 11:35 here on abc7. >>> in other news, hayward police have arrested a teenager in the shooting of his father. police found the teen in a park near the shooting scene. officers say he had a gun on him. witnesses told the oakland tribune that the man is 15 years old. they also say they heard shouting before the shooting. the 36-year-old father is in the hospital with a head wound. >>> the san jose police released this surveillance video after a hit-and-run accident left a 15-year

the -- gabriel zimmerman. broad american public, young and old, men, women, and child, friends, brothers, sisters, and children . they will be missed. but not forgotten. this inexplicable crime reminds us there is evil in the world. yet as we look for light in a thicket of darkness, our nation has drawn inspiration from the bravery and quick thinking displayed by the heroes on the scene. were it not for their efforts, there likely would have been many more victims. the outpouring of support, prayer, and solidarity also reminds us that america is a country of compassion, community, and empathy. we will stand with the victims and their families and pray and mourn with them as they cope with this horrific tragedy. madam speaker, i also want to offer my thoughts of comfort to gabby giffords' staff and want them to know that our hearts hang heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with them. as they try and persevere through this very difficult time. madam speaker, i'd also like to add my thanks to the brave law enfo

he seemed to almost have that innate calling. >> gabriel zimmerman graduated with honors from u.c. nta cruz in 2002 with a degree in sociology. zimmerman's father tells us he did well, really loved the school and made some close friends there. >> abc news will carry a special report at 8 a.m. when president obama leads the nation in a moment of silence. the u.s. supreme court will begin session ten minutes early so it can observe that moment. congress has delayed its agenda this week putting off a planned vote to repeal healthcare reform. flags will fly at half staff in washington as well as across the country. >> a surprise new boss takes over at san francisco district attorney this morning. former police chief george gascon moves offices in the hall of justice after a stunning final appoint by mayor gavin newsom. terry mcsweeney is there live with the look ahead of the law and order musical chairs. terry? >> yeah. the old police chief is the new district attorney. coming out of nowhere it seems. during a swearing in at san francisco city hall. he'll be moving from the fifth floor

th -- gabriel zimmerman.rican public, young and old, men, women, and child, friends, brothers, sisters, and children . they will be missed. but not forgotten. this inexplicable crime reminds us there is evil in the world. yet as we look for light in a thicket of darkness, our nation has drawn inspiration from the bravery and quick thinking displayed by the heroes on the scene. were it not for their efforts, there likely would have been many more victims. the outpouring of support, prayer, and solidarity also reminds us that america is a country of compassion, community, and empathy. we will stan with the victims and their families and pray and mourn with them as they cope with this horrific tragedy. madam speaker, i also want to offer my thoughts of comfort to gabby giffords' staff and want them to ow that our hearts hang heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with them. as they try and persevere through this very difficult time. madam speaker, i'd also like to add my thanks to the brave law enforcement that

. ---- gabriel zimmerman era ayudante de la congresista giffords... sidad de california en santa cruz en 2002 ....y tenia 30 aÑos de edad .... ---- la legisladora democrata gabrielle giffords ahora se debate entre la vida y la muerte. ---aunque esta muy grave, los medicos dicen que tiene posibilidades de recuperarse. take vo ----en tanto, hoy el presidente de la nacion y la primera dama michelle obama ... hicieron un minuto de silencio. ---esto, para honrar a las victimas del asesinato masivo en tucson. ----- aparecieron los dos en uno de los jardines de la casa blanca, con unos 300 empleados de la casa presidencial. ---- tambien hubo un minuto de silencio en el capitolio. cu ---regresamos a la bahia : el nuevo fiscal de distrito de san francisco es alguien muy conocido por todos... george gascon... ahora, ex-jefe de la policia de esa ciudad... take vo ---gascon surgio como candidato a ocupar la vacante dejada por kamala harris luego que varios aspirantes no reunieran los requisitos que exige el puesto (y los criterios del alcalde gavin newsom) ... ---

. >> there were two more memorials in tucson, one for gabriel zimmerman and another for 79-year-old fillt sneek. they were among the six who died. more encouraging news for doctors keeping watch over gabrielle giffords who was shot in the head at close range. they removed her breathing tube and performed a tracheotomy on saturday. they are still calling her progress remarkable though she remains in intensive care. >> now giffords is free of the ventilator and having an easier time of breathing and doctors hope to evaluate her ability to speak. >> and you can see the town hall meeting this morning in a special this week after the tragedy, an american conversation, continues. it airs here at abc 7 at 8:00 this morning. the victims of the tucson shooting were honored here in the bay area this weekend at an annual non-violence rally in san jose. yesterday's 12th annual martin luther king jr. stop the violence event at evergreen valley college was dedicated to the congresswoman and other victims. it included a prayer for peace, a talent show, and several speakers promoting violence prevention

. >> reporter: there were two more memorial's, one for giffords' aide, gabrielle zimmerman, and another for phyllis schneck. and encouraging news from doctors keeping watch over congresswoman gabrielle giffords, who was shot in the head at close range. they removed her breathing tube and performed a tracheotomy. she romaines in intensative care. >> i know she is going to recover. i just know it. >> reporter: encouraging words. enough giffords is free of the ventilator and having an easier time breathing from what doctors say. they hope they will soon be able to evaluate her able to -- ability to speak. >> terry: thanks very much. you can see the town hall meeting leslie was talking about tomorrow morning in a special "this week, after the tragedy, an american conversation continues. ". >> the tucson shootings have re-ignited the always smoldering issue of gun rights, in a different way. >> lisa: thousands fill the cow palace to attend the crossroads of the west gun show. >> free membership and a free ticket into the show. >> lisa: the same promoter is holding a gun show in tucson this w

gabriel zimmerman, an aide to giffords, graduated from uc santa cruz in 2002. mary ann just got from the campus where she talked to people who knew zimmerman. they must be stunned. >> reporter: they certainly were. many just learned about it today. gabe zimmerman was a standout on campus. liked by both students and professors because he was dedicated, friendly and kind. they say he was des tipptined f public service. the flags fly at half staff, to remember the 30-year-old, one of six people killed in saturday's shooting rampage in tucson. he worked for congresswoman gabrielle giffords and organized the congress on your corner event. >> it's horrible. >> reporter: zimmerman earned a bachelor's in sociology and graduated with honors in 2002. students expressed grief over losing one of their own. >> it's disheartening in general. and in particular that that event would take place in the first place. really hits close to home. >> knowing it's a friend of a scholar. it's a horrible thing. >> reporter: the sociology professor describes zimmerman as friendly. >> a de

. >> there were two more memorials in tucson one for giffords' aide gabriel zimmerman and gloria sneekne of him who died. and doctors keeping watch on gabrielle giffords shot in the head at close range. they removed her breathing tube and performed a tracheotomy on saturday. they are calling her progress remarkable though she remains in intensive care. >> i know she's going to recover. i just know it. >> now she's having an easier time breathing and doctors hope they can evaluate her ability to speak. >> and you can see that town hall meeting leslie mentioned this morning in a special this week called "after the tragedy an american conversation continues." it airs here at abc 7 at 8:00 this morning. the victims of the tucson shooting were honored at an annual non-violence rally in san jose. yesterday's 12th annual martin luther king stop the violence event at the college was dedicated to congresswoman giffords and the other victims. the event was organized by local students and included a prayer for peace, a talent show and several speakers promoting violence prevention and tolerance.

. >> one of the victims to the shooting was a uc-santa cruz alum, gabriel zimmerman. he was an aid to congresswoman giffords. today the father talked about his son on the cbs early slow. >> he grew up into somebody who -- who as well as being my son, is very much my best friend. and i keep encountering things where i want to talk to him about something and then i have to say, oh, gosh, i can't. so what do i do? >> zimmerman directed his passion for helping people into the work for the congresswoman. there will be a vigil at the southwest corner of broadway and civic drive at 5:30 to 6:30. organizers are asking people who attend to bring both a flashlight as well as a candle. >>> investigators into the tucson massacre questioned a bay area legislator about death threats received last year. state senator leland yee criticized sarah palin when she appeared at uc stanislaus last spring. received threatening e-mails after those comments but officials aren't saying whether there is a link between the threats and saturday's attack. they said they are just following up on sim

zimmerman, 30, was an aide to rep. gabrielleng an event in a safeway parking lot when a 22-year-old man opened fire. twenty people were shot, including six who died. the two ucsc alumni who established the scholarship fund have no relationship to zimmerman, but they received approval from the shooting victim's family. the fund has had a facebook page since about noon wednesday and has already garnered more than $3,000 through facebook donations, he said. those interested in donating should search on facebook for "zimmerman scholarship." to >> we have continuing coverage in the arizona shooting aftermath on our website we've pros did the entire speech from last night's memorial at www.kron4.com. >> we're taking a peak of of our roof on van ness, it looks pretty, but there, the roads have been pretty quiet let's go to church. >> indeed they have become start to the morning commute even now continuing along interstate 80 traffic coming down for hercules to berkeley is moving well it is only at 12 minute drive time with light traffi

scholarship fund has been established at the university of california, santa cruz in memory of gabriel zimmerman, a graduate of the school who was among six people killed in a shooting at a political event in tucson, 30, was an aide to rep. gabrielle giffords, who was hosting an event in a safeway parking lot when a 22-year-old man opened fire. twenty people were shot, including six who died. the two ucsc alumni who established the scholarship fund have no relationship to zimmerman, but they received approval from the shooting victim's family. the fund has had a facebook page since about noon wednesday and has already garnered more than $3,000 through facebook donations, he said. those interested in donating should search on facebook for "zimmerman scholarship." will continue to cover the aftermath of the shootings and give you the very latest of all of the victims. including the congresswoman. we have the president's speech posted on a web site as well. go to kron 4 for all of that. >> let's get the latest on bay area out weather and traffic. >> we have to get through the next 24 hours before w

the 30-year-old gabriel zimmerman was a congressional aid graduating from uc santa cruz in 2002 with honors. the scholarship fund will assist financially challenged students who intend to make a career in public service. you can find a link on our web site. just look under see it on tv. >> in the meantime police records released today from an arizona community college detail erratic behavior of the suspected shooter, one report says lougtner became incomp hencible when his face became jittery and contorted nchl a class he stunned instructors with bizarre outbursts about abortions, wars and killing people. he was suspended in september. hours before the shooting he was pulled over for running a red light but let would have a warning. he also made two shopping trips to wall drs mart and ran from his father with a black bag after an angry confrontation. >> today was supposed to be the day the house voted to repeal reform. instead lawmakers spent the day on a resolution honoring victims of the shootings, but sara palin posted a video turning attention back to the debate over political rh

the gabriel zimmerman scholarship fund will help students who intend to make a career in public service. there's a link on our website abc7news.com under "see it on tv." and on the home page you'll find president obama's entire speech from last night's memorial service. >> four men return to court in sonoma county today to face charges in a fatal drive-by shooting last year that police say was a case of mistaken identity. it was a year ago the 24-year-old musician was found dead inside his car near hercules. the suspects went to kill a rival gang member. they say tucker was not the intended target but was mistakenly identified as a gang member. >> he's always been a part of my life. even though he traveled the world, he would call me from wherever he was. >> one of the suspects pleaded not guilty. the other three have not yet entered pleas. a budget committee will review the budget proposal for the first time. it includes a proposal to change the 7-year-old policy of assigning four state firefighters to every engine versus having only three people. some officials say there's virtually n

gifford, a director of community outreach, gabriel zimmerman was engaged to be married. the other victims, 76 years old dorwin stoddard and 76-year-old dorothy murphy died along with 79-year-old phyllis shek. an eyewitness was an emergency room doctor who played dead to save his own life. >> i passed by the table. the congresswoman was talking to several people. i went to the side of the table, the side of the concrete post. and i looked up, and i saw a man shoot her in the head. and then he began spraying gunfire everywhere. at that point i ducked behind the concrete post, and as he came around it, the whole thing unfolded in maybe 12, 15 seconds. as he came around it, i laid on the ground and acted as if i was shot. when i checked on her, she was actually conscious and moving her extremities and sitting -- was being held up in a halfway sitting position with her face covered. >> some of california's most prominent leaders are shocked over the shooting of fellow congresswoman gabrielle giffords. democratic leader nancy pelosi met with her constituents during an annual e

giffords' community director of outleach was also killed, gabriel zimmerman was engaged to be married76-year-old dor win stoddard, he was a pastor at the mountain avenue church of christ and 76-year-old dorothy murphy died with 79-year-old philly shep. an eyewitness to the shooting is a former emergency room doctor who played dead to save his own life. >> i had passed by the table. the congresswoman was standing there talking to several people. i went to the side of the table, the side of the concrete post, and i looked up and i saw a man shoot her in the head and then he began to spray gunfire everywhere. at that point i ducked behind the concrete post and as he came around it. the whole thing unfolded in maybe 12 or 15 seconds. as he came around it, i laid on the ground and acted as if i was shot. when i checked on her she was conscious and moving her extremities and being held up in a halfway sitting position with her face covered. >> some of california's most prominent leaders are expressing shock over the shooting of fellow congresswoman gabrielle giffords. nancy pelosi met with

when the work pam simon, ron barber, gabriel zimmerman and daniel fernandez, an intern. a congresswoman giffords greater constituents would find it toloi speak with her. as judge john roll, chief judge of the u.s. district court ofhief o arizona, a personal friend of mine. like most mornings, yet attended mass.ass. then he decided to stop at the safeway to thank thetance congresswoman for h overwhelming caseload. also attending the event was 9-year-old christina taylor had green light, swimming giffords has recently won elective t office. third-grader had been elected to the student council and mayor said a day elementary school. whittemore center has been george, retired buried, airlinee pilot were attending the eventtt great grandmother spent it in ic her sofrom new jersey was theres well as for tour winds and matty stoddard. all these people are waiting to gresswoman giffords is the gunman approached and shot the congresswoman in the head, then turning the gun on the others in line.oman gabrielle zimmerman, judge. rolle, christina taylor-green, dorothy morris, phyllis

. >> an impromptu vigil was also held for gabriel zimmerman. >> it was like no, no, hoping it wasn'true. >> the 30-year-old was recently engaged. ♪ got shed his grace on thee >> reporter: songs of resilience filled the air by night, a community forever changed. ♪ from sea to shining sea >> reporter: those three who were also lost are dorothy marchie, dorwin stoddard and fill is schneck. five are in serious condition, and we are expecting the medical officials here to update us on their recovery process in the next few hours. lester? >> kristin welker, thanks very much. once again here's jenna. >>> this morning 22 years old jared lee loughner is in police custody. many questions remain unanswered. pete williams joins us from washington with more on the investigation. good morning, pete. >> good morning. we may learn more today about one avenue of inquiry. that is whether he acted alone, or whether someone else knew what he was planning to do, but based on the suspect's recent internet writings, a picture is emerging of an emotionally disturbed young man. the man accused of firing the

addition to judge roll, arizona also lost dorothy morris, doreen stoddard, fillies schneck and gabrielle zimmerman. let me take a moment to recognize the act of extraordinary arizonans who responded with professionalism and saved lives. law enforcement, emergency responders, the tucson medical community, and the staff at the university medical center. daniel hernandez, a university of arizona jr. showed no fear in the face of gunfire. his quick action in going to gabby giffords aid likely saved her life. daniel is here today and i'm going to ask him to stand and receive the thanks of a very grateful state. daniel. [cheers and applause] >> it was a sunny >> it was a sunny saturday at the supermarket in northwest tucson. it was a picture of what our country is all about. publicer is vents doing their duty. citizens old and young coming to hear, coming to participate in our government in action. we lost someone else on saturday. 9-year-old christina green who was just elected to her student council. she was hoping to be a positive part of the future of america. and we has become just that. she loved

>> i think we just know that it's what gabriel zimmerman and congresswoman giffords would have wanted, to have the office continue, for us to be helping constituents. >> reporter: randy gardner is a semi-retired former mental health worker who went to the safeway to talk to his congresswoman. he was standing about 20 feet way from hummel-rajca, talking to 79-year old phyllis schneck, when the shooting started. >> then we heard the pop, pop, pop very quickly. and it was difficult to see. i never saw the shooter, and yet he was somewhere in front of me. i turned around and told her, "lets go." and right at that point, i got hit. i took a step, got hit. i turned around to see what she was doing. >> reporter: mrs. schneck was killed. a nine-millimeter bullet passed through gardner's foot. >> it came in here at the lower level. and it supposedly danced around here for a little bit and then out here. i've got two dime-sized holes on either side. >> reporter: this is not the first time gardener has been at the scene of a mass killing. he was in the crowd at kent state university in 1970 when

> flag now at half-staff at the capitol to remember the victims of the shooting, one of them gabriel zimmermanswoman giffords. shooting victims are up to 20. they will have a news conference, and sheriff will meet with reporters at 1:00 pm eastern time. stay with continuing coverage, including an hour-long special on "dateline" at 7:00 eastern here on nbc. our thoughts and prayers are with the congresswoman and others, who are victims of this tragedy. that is all for today. we'll be back next week. if it's sunday, it's "meet the press." ooh, a brainteaser. how can expedia now save me even more on my hotel? well, hotels know they can't fill every room every day. like this one. and this one. and oops, my bad. so, they give expedia ginormous discounts with these: unpublished rates. which means i get an even more rockin' hotel, for less. my brain didn't even break a sweat. where you book matters. expedia.

> flag now at half-staff at the capitol to remember the victims of the shooting, one of them gabriel zimmermane to congresswoman giffords. shooting victims are up to 20. they will have a news conference, and sheriff will meet with reporters at 1:00 pm eastern time. stay with continuing coverage, including an hour-long special on "dateline" at 7:00 eastern here on nbc. our thoughts and prayers are with the congresswoman and others, who are victims of this tragedy. that is all for today. we'll be back next week. if it's sunday, it's "meet the press."

distrt court judge, john roll, phyllis schneck, dorian stoddar and gabriel zimmerman. and those injured including our friend and colleague, gabrielle giffords and her staff. we'll keep you and your families in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers, and we are deeply grateful to the heroes sung and unsung who showed great courage and sacrifice and continue to do so in caring for their friends, family, and community. to gabby, to mark kelly, her husband, her staff we pray that your burdens are lifted and that the dark days become light. may god bless you and strengthen i. may god bless this congress. and may got bless america. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. mr. flake: i yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from oregon, mr. walden. mr. walden: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise on behalf of the people of oregon's second district to offer my deepest sympathies to the familiesf the victims of saturday's senseless shooting in tucson. americans see each of us taking this personally because congresswoman giffords and her staff were doing what each of

gabriel zimmerman was her community outreach director. in fact, he was the one who organized the event on saturday in tucson, arizona. his family said he just wanted to help people. gabrielle giffords remains in critical condition. she was shot in the head, as you foe. but doctors say are -- doctors are saying they are optimistic. reportedly she's responding n onverbally to simple commands. the next big step will be to see whether she could breathe on her own. >>> 8:0. the man accused in that -- 8:03. the man accused in the shooting is due in court. authorities say jared loughner bought a .9 millimeter semi- automatic pistol at a s portsman warehouse in tucson five weeks ago. they say he bought the bullets for the gun at walmart after b eing denied purchasing them at another walmart because of strange behavior. one of the college law professors remembers having serious concerns about this young man. >> he's been saying these random comments and outbursts. how can you accept math enstead of denying it? i was very concerned. >> he said he co

one of giffords' staffers, gabriel zimmerman, and a third grader named christina taylor green, born on 9/11, who wanted to learn more about government. >> i think everybody paused when they heard christina's birth date, september 11th, 2001. >> she began her life on a tragedy, 9/11, and her life was ended with a tragedy here in arizona. >> reporter: congresswoman giffords is married to astronaut mark kelly, a shuttle astronaut who was training for an upcoming mission. he's issued a statement this morning. it says in part, "on behalf of gabby and our entire family, i wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude people of arizona and this great nation for their unbelievable outpouring of support. gabby was doing what she loved most, hearing from her constituents, when this tragedy occurred. serving southern arizonians is her passion and nothing makes her more proud than representing them in congress." and matt, he along with the rest of the family, are at the congresswoman's side. >> lester holt for us this morning in tucson. thank you very much. earlier this morning, i spoke to danielle her

and gabriel zimmerman was gabe. >> the shooter had contact with the office in the past back in 2007. up sign in. the congresswoman sends a thank you note to each of them for coming to the congress on your corner. i don't know how many offices have tracking systems for thank you notes. we do. she sends thank you notes all the time. she sends thank you notes to reporters. >> sorry for your loss. so glad that the congresswoman is fighting. >> thank you. >> lets get back to juju with the rest of the morning's news. >>> four states have declared state of emergencies because of the winter storm facing the south. louisiana, tennessee, alabama, and georgia. thousands of flights are canceled canceled. >>> in iran, a passenger plane crashed. 77 people are dead. two dozen passengers survived. some walked away. >>> a dramatic scene as a new flash flood swept through this town in australia. four people were killed. many others were rescued. some while holding on to trees. >>> the high price of oil is moving higher thanks to a leak in the trans-alaska pipeline. no word how long it will take to fix

the people that are the heroes are people like pam simon, congresswoman gabrielle giffords gabe zimmerman who unfortunately we lost that day, ron barber, the first responders, and also people like dr. rhee who have done an amazing job at making sure that gabby is okay and those who are injured are being treated to the best of our ability. (cheers and applause) we have all come together to realize that what defines us is not the differences, it is that we are all together, we are all a family, we are all americans and we must recognize that the real heroes-- like i mentioned-- are the people who have dedicated their lives to public service whether it's direct care in nursing or being a physician or being a great representative like congresswoman giffords or being a staffer. they are the people who we should be honoring and they are the people that we need to keep in our thoughts and our prers. so i thank you for this opportunity but i say we must reject the title of hero and reserve it for those who deserve it and those who deserve it are the public servants and the first responders and th

gabrielle zimmerman, judge roll, christina taylor greene, dorothy morris, and dennis were all killed. george, morris, pam, ron barr beer and the congresswoman were injured along with eight others. those killed, had much more to offer in their lives. she gave the congresswoman's outreach was 30 years old, engaged to be married. according to news reports, he was killed while rushing to assist others. he worked closely with my tucson staff. judge roll was not only a very distinguished and respected jurist, but was known most of all in the tucson community for his kind pness and kurt -- kindness and curtesy. he was killed trying to protect ron barr beer who was shot moments before. christina taylor was 9 years old, a 3rd grader. dorothy morris was married for 50 years to george, and he was injured trying to protect his wife. they have two daughters and i met one of them in the facility in which he's recooperating where i was last friday. phyllis like others in the group was a volunteer at her church and known as a cook. he too, was shot as he dove to the ground to cover his wife who escap

in addition to judge roll, and gabriel zimmerman. let me take a moment to recognize the acts of extraordinary arizonans who responded with professionalism and saved lives -- law- enforcement, emergency responders, the tucson medical community, and the staff at the university medical center. daniel hernandez, a university of arizona junior, showed no fear in the face of gunfire. his quick action in going to gabrielle giffords's aid likely save lives. i am going to ask him to stand and receive the thanks of a very grateful state. [applause] >> it was a sunny saturday at the supermarket in northwest tucson. it was a picture of what our country is all about -- public servants doing their duty, citizens old and young coming to here and participate in the beauty of our government in action. we lost someone else on saturday. 9-year-old christina green, who was just elected to her student council. she was hoping to be a positive part of the future of america and she has become just that. she loved baseball. she was the only girl on her littl

and friends said good-bye to two more of the six victims sunday. 30-year-old gabe zimmerman a congressional aide to gabrielle giffords and a man who was killed shielding his wife from the bullets. >>> sergeant shriver is hospitalizedded tonight. no word about his condition or why he was admitted. he announced he was suffering from alzheimer's in 2003. his wife eunice died in 2009. there has been no word from the shriver family including his daughter maria. >>> checking other bay area headlines one of two bank robbery suspects has been identified by union city police as 36-year-old anthony lee poveros. he was arrested after a short chase that ended in a residential neighborhood. a second suspect ran and was found dead in a backyard. even though gunfire was exchanged police are not saying if the second suspect died from police bullets or his own. >>> the gang rape case against several members of the dianza college baseball team will soon head back to court. this time the alleged victim is bringing civil charges against the defendants since the former santa clara county d.a. refused to prosecute. the new d.a. s

. >> reporter: the rally ended at congresswoman gabrielle giffords' office. this is where gabe zimmerman worked, one of the six victims. 30 years old and engaged to be married and today a service in his memory. 800 in attendance. giffords' husband who rarely leaves her bedside was also there. gabe's father says his son was his best friend. >> it's harder for me to get through life on a day-to-day basis. >> reporter: also remembered today, dorwin stoddard, the 67--year-old father of five. she was released in time to attend her husband's funeral. on this sunday many in tucson turned to their faith, seeking comfort in a tragedy where for now there are no answers. the suspected gunman jerrold lee loughner who made this rambling video is back in court later this month. today "the new york times" told police during his arrest i plead the fifth. tucson bank tellers tell the paper when loughner entered their building they could quote feel for the alarm button shaken by his demeanor. at the crime scene the fbi retrieved surveillance video, the shooting on camera. >> the sources in law enforcement

house side of the capitol building will be flown at half staff to on a representative gabrielle gifford a gabe's zimmermaneople killed in the shooting yesterday. >> still to come will have reaction from top leaders in california about the shooting. >> will be right back. number of lawmakers to understand the dangers to the stage to voice their concern. house minority expect leader nancy pelosi, has herself been the subject of threat. her tone was somber as pelosi told the crowd the incident strengthens her resolve. lieutenant governor elected gavin newsome said violent extremism is the threat to democracy. >> to indulge in this insanity, and that kind of environment is what makes this much more repressive and much more devastating on a lot of different levels not just human levels but on the principles that we stand for. >> our democracy and that's what we intend to do. >> other political figures including attorney general pamela harris call this weekend shooting a tragedy. she said she will remain accessible to the public. >> jerry brown released a statement yesterday and said i am deeply saddened to lea

people like congresswoman gabrielle giffords has been doing all her life. gabe zimmermanwho lost his life. and pam summer, who i had a chance to talk to today briefly for the first time since the incident. they're people that have dedicated their lives to helping others. giving up your life to help others is really something that's heroic. not stepping up once and being brave. >> reporter: the president did share a bit of good news in his piece. the fact that congresswoman giffords' eyes opened for the first time since saturday. did you have any idea that was coming? >> i had no idea. that's the first time i smiled in days. hearing that news, after hearing that she was breathing on her own is incredible. that type of injury, i've been told, is extremely dangerous. not a lot of people make it. but knowing that gabby is the real fighter she is, she's going to keep on fighting. >> thanks to david wright for that. >>> threatening messages from a democratic congressman from washington state has landed a man in jail. charles haberman of palm springs, california, made a court ap

zimmerman. he was a congressional aide to gabrielle giffords. they also created a scholarship in his honor that will challenge students who tend to make a career in public service. find a link for contributions on abc7.com under see it on tv. >>> a candle light vigil was held in oakland tonight for the victims of saturday's shooting rampage. organizers say they want to condemn political violence and violence in the local community. leigh glaser was at the vigil and is in the newsroom with more on it. >> reporter: tonight's gathering was yet another call for unity for communities across the country to come together to support the victims of the tucson shooting and to make sure this kind of violence never happens again. tonight's candlelight vigil actually took place at oakland city hall. the candles were held in solemn reminders of the residents that were killed there in tucson, residents, community leaders and local clergy together formed a solemn ring around the city hall there tonight. they say they want to remember those that survived the tra

gabe zimmerman was community outreach director and did many of the constituent services. because gabrielleknows how hard it is to be a legislator with limited resources, she instructed her staff to treat legislators like they treat her. >> and he was just engaged to be married, gabe was, correct? >> he was, indeed. i actually work at the tucson medical center with his fiancee, kelly, and my heart goes out to kelly and her family, everyone tragically affected by this yesterday. >> doctor, rest assured, the whole country is watching as we all feel helpless. we're thinking of you and sending thoughts and prayers very hard in this circumstance. thank you for talking about both of them here with us tonight. >> it's a pleasure. >> christina taylor green was the youngest victim here, the youngest to die just 9 years old. tonight lester holt has her story. >> she was very patriotic. she liked to wear red, white and blue. she liked -- fourth of july she would get really excited. she was just -- >> wave her flags. >> very patriotic. very political and interested in politics and government at a very