CTV.ca News Staff--U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and has had surgery following an attack that killed at least five at a public event in her home district in Arizona.
Giffords, a 40-year-old Democrat, was shot point blank in the head during a public event at a Tucson grocery store.
A surgeon at a local hospital said Giffords was shot directly through the brain and is in critical condition following surgery. The surgeon said in a press conference that he was as "optimistic" as possible given the injury. He added that Giffords was responding to commands from doctors.
The surgeon said five people were in critical condition following the attack, and a nine-year-old girl had died.
Chief Rich Castigar of the Pima County Sheriff's department said 18 people were shot in the attack.
President Barack Obama said Giffords is "battling for her life."
"This is more than a tragedy for those involved, it is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country," he said in a news conference. "It's not surprising that today Gabby was doing what she always does, listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbours. That is the essence of what our democracy is about."
A witness told CTV News Channel that a judge and a political aide died in the attack. The judge has been identified as U.S. District Judge John Roll.
An official said the attack was carried out with an automatic weapon. A nine-millimetre handgun has been recovered. Local reports say a man was tackled by members of the crowd.
The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating the attack. U.S. Capitol Police say the shooter is in custody. Various news agencies have identified the shooter as Jared Lee Loughner.
He is described as white and 22-years-old. A YouTube channel in Loughner's name features anti-federal government rantings in text against a dark background. He also wrote of inventing a new U.S. currency.
"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)."
Obama said he has offered all the resources of the federal government for the investigation.
Jason Pekau, an employee at a nearby store, heard 15 to 20 shots ring out.
"It was continuous shooting: there was no break," he told CNN. "It sounded like tons of pots and pans falling down around my ears it was so loud."
Pekau said he saw the congresswoman being rushed into a medical helicopter to be flown to hospital and she appeared to be moving slightly.
He said there was no security or police obviously present at the time of the shooting.
Giffords' husband is astronaut Mark Kelly. Kelly was in Houston at the time of the shooting and is travelling by plane to Arizona.
She first was voted into Congress in 2006. In November, she defeated a tea party favourite. Giffords, a moderate Democrat, had drawn ire for her support of the health care bill.
Obama said the shooting was "a senseless and terrible act of violence" that "has no place in a free society."
House Speaker John Boehner echoed Obama's message.
"I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff," Boehner said. "An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country."
Giffords was among 20 Democrats targeted in gun crosshairs in an ad on Sarah Palin's website. Palin has since taken the ad off her website.
In a statement Saturday, Palin said: "My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona."
