U.S. District Judge John Roll of the District of Arizona was shot death in an attack on a political open-house forum being held by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords outside a Tucson supermarket. Giffords who received a gunshot to the head is said to be in critical condition at a Tucson area hospital. The hospital said her outlook was "optimistic" and that she was responding to commands from doctors. Law enforcements sources are reporting that a 9-year-old child was among the killed, and at least 10 people were wounded.
Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin said an unspecified number of her staff members were injured in the shooting. Congressional officials said an aide to the Democrat was killed, but few details were released about the staff members.
Police say the shooter was in custody, and was identified by people familiar with the investigation as Jared Loughner, 22. Pima County Sheriff's officials said he used a pistol to carry out the rampage. U.S. officials who provided his name spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release it publicly.
