They were shots heard across the nation. It was supposed to be a meet-and-greet for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) at the Safeway grocery store at the corner of Ina Road and Oracle Road in Tucson on Jan. 8. But all that changed when 22 year-old Jared Lee Loughner allegedly open fire, shooting Giffords in the head and wounding or killing 19 others. Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) issued a statement of sympathy and support for those injured and killed in the rampage.
“My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Congresswoman Giffords and others wounded or killed at today’s event. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, as well as Congresswoman Giffords’ staff and constituents,” Seabaugh said.
All totaled, there were 20 people shot. Of those, six died and 14 were wounded. Among the dead were U.S. District Judge John Roll and nine year-old Christina Taylor Green. Some of the wounded remain in serious condition at Tucson’s University medical Center.
“It is reprehensible for any person to take an action such as this for any reason in order to make a point. One of the greatest strengths of our nation is the ability to have, and openly discuss, differences in thought and opinion,” Seabaugh said. ”Never is there a justification to treat human life with such disregard. When someone is determined to commit a crime, laws do not stop them. It is enforcement of laws, proper education, and the vigilance of citizens that stop and minimize these heinous acts of violence. Restricting the rights of law abiding citizens will not stop random acts of violence. My hat goes off to all public safety and law enforcement personnel present today that put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect law abiding citizens.”
Note: The location of the shooting was originally stated as having occurred near a Publix grocery store. The correction has been noted above.
