Sarah Palin on Tucson shooting rampage: 'Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own'

By Felicia Sonmez



Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Click links to see the following updates:

-Sarah Palin on Tucson shooting rampage: "Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own"

-Loughner family releases statement

-Bill Clinton calls on House to change tone

-Sen. John McCain cuts short overseas trip to attend Tucson memorial service

-Tim Pawlenty jabs at Sarah Palin: "Wouldn't have been my style" to use crosshairs

-Senate Sergeant at Arms: Not a good idea for members to carry weapons

Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 7:30 a.m.

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Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin (R) released a statement Wednesday morning denouncing efforts to blame her for Saturday's Tucson shooting rampage.

"Like many, I've spent the past few days reflecting on what happened and praying for guidance," Palin said in a lengthy statement posted on her Facebook page. "After this shocking tragedy, I listened at first puzzled, then with concern, and now with sadness, to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event."

Palin called efforts to attribute blame for the shooting "reprehensible," saying that "especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn."

Without naming him, Palin alluded to Rep. Robert Brady's (D-Pa.) plan to propose legislation that would make it a federal crime to use language or images that could be interpreted as inciting violence toward members of Congress or federal officials, saying the legislation "would criminalize speech [Brady] found offensive."

"It is in the hour when our values are challenged that we must remain resolved to protect those values," Palin said. "Recall how the events of 9-11 challenged our values and we had to fight the tendency to trade our freedoms for perceived security. And so it is today."

Also releasing a statement early Wednesday was former Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle (R), who has come under criticism for stating during her unsuccessful bid to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that supports should seek "Second Amendment remedies."

Angle, who is currently in California caring for her 88-year-old father, condemned Saturday's attack, calling it "a horrifying and senseless tragedy" that "should be condemned as a single act of violence, by a single unstable individual."

"Expanding the context of the attack to blame and to infringe upon the people's Constitutional liberties is both dangerous and ignorant," she said. "The irresponsible assignment of blame to me, Sarah Palin or the TEA Party movement by commentators and elected officials puts all who gather to redress grievances in danger."

Angle added that political finger-pointing is "an audience-rating game and contradicts the facts as they are known - that the shooter was obsessed with his twisted plans long before the TEA Party movement began."

The Facebook post was Palin's most extensive public statement since Saturday's tragedy. She posted a short condolence note on her site the day of the shootings, and conservative commentator Glenn Beck read some of his correspondence with Palin on his radio show in the days after the tragedy.



A Palin aide defended the former governor in an appearance on Alaska radio Sunday, saying that there was "nothing irresponsible" about the images of crosshairs used in a map of the 20 congressional districts targeted by Palin's PAC.

But the focus on Palin has only intensified since the shooting, and the former Alaska governor's response could have repercussions for her political future.

Click for more updates:

-Hill staffers, visitors pay tribute to Tucson shooting victims

-Loughner's mug shot released

-Tucson couple recalls Loughner visit: "He looked crazy as hell"

-National Rifle Association offers prayers for victims, families

-Education Secretary: Society "too often shirks responsibility for our collective safety"

-Steny Hoyer, Michigan lawmakers to attend Detroit Auto Show

-Loughner may get ''Unabomber'' attorney

-Patricia Maisch: "I was not one of the heroes"

-Dem and GOP reps.: We need to set an example

-Sheriff Dupnik continues criticism of political "vitriol"

-Giffords's husband asks for donations to American Red Cross and local food bank

-Pennsylvania Democrat to introduce legislation to protect lawmakers

-Gabrielle Giffords "troubled that Sarah Palin put her in crosshairs": Lawmaker

-Sarah Palin aide: "Obscene" to use Tucson tragedy to score political points

-Intern: "My first instinct" was to make sure Giffords was all right

-Clyburn: Political vitriol "has crossed the line"

-Dozens gather for Capitol vigil

-Health-care repeal vote postponed

-Giffords discussed budget cuts, health care in last interview before attack

Updated: 5:57

Jared Loughner's parents gave the following statement to reporters on Tuesday afternoon:

This is a very difficult time for us. We ask the media to respect our privacy. There are no words that can possibly express how we feel. We wish that there were, so we could make you feel better. We don't understand why this happened. It may not make any difference, but we wish that we could change the heinous events of Saturday. We care very deeply about the victims and their families. We are so very sorry for their loss.

Updated: 4:51

In an interview with BBC News conducted from Haiti, former president Bill Clinton said he would like to see the House of Representatives "lead the way" on toning down political attacks.

"This is an occasion for us to reaffirm that our political differences shouldn't degenerate into demonization, in the sense that if you don't agree with me you're not a good American," Clinton said. "No one intends to do anything that encourages this sort of behavior. But we cannot be unaware of the fact that -- particularly with the Internet -- there's this huge echo chamber out there," and that rhetoric "falls on the unhinged and the hinged alike."

Updated: 1:30 p.m.

Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain is cutting short a visit to Latin America in order to attend a memorial service for the victims of the Tucson shooting.

McCain's office confirmed to the Post that the senator is returning to his home state to attend Wednesday's memorial service, which President Obama also plans to attend.

McCain departed Friday to take part in a week-long congressional delegation to Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Panama. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is accompanying McCain on the trip.

Updated: 8:05 a.m.

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (R) said Tuesday morning that he wouldn't have used crosshairs on a map of targeted districts as former Alaska governor Sarah Palin's (R) political action committee did during the 2010 midterm campaign.

Pawlenty, who embarks this week on a national book tour ahead of an anticipated 2012 presidential bid, was doubling down on remarks he made to the New York Times that the crosshairs were "not a device I would have chosen to do." Palin's aides have said that the images were never intended to be crosshairs or incite violence.

"I think Gov. Palin is a remarkable leader; I think she brings a lot to the debate and the table, both nationally and within the Republican Party as well," Pawlenty said on ABC's "Good Morning America." "As to the New York Times quote, you know, it wouldn't have been my style to put the crosshairs on there. But again, there's no evidence to suggest that that had anything to do with this mentally unstable person's rage and senseless acts in Arizona."

Pawlenty also urged restraint in speculating about the political motivations of the alleged gunman, Jared Loughner.

"There's no reason to believe at this point that there's any motivating factor tied to a particular politician or a particular show or a particular act," Pawlenty said. "It appears to be the rage of a mentally unstable person, and sometimes they do irrational and senseless things."

He said that the incident "clearly" changes the political climate in the country, adding, "we could all benefit from a more civil and thoughtful discourse in this country."

Pawlenty is slated to appear on ABC's "The View" later Tuesday. Thursday, he kicks off his book tour at the National Press Club in Washington.

Updated: Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7:40 a.m.

Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrence Gainer said Tuesday morning that he was doubtful that members carrying weapons would contribute to their security. Several members, including Reps. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), have said since the shooting that they're considering carrying guns with them to constituent events in their districts.

"I don't think it's a good idea," Gainer told ABC's "Good Morning America." "I think we ought to leave the law enforcement and security to those professionals. But I do think there's things we can do to help minimize the risk in those districts."

Gainer said that he believed a better solution would be to increase the cooperation between members' district staff and the local police.

"I've been a policeman for 42 years and I don't think introducing more guns to the situation is helpful," he said.

Asked to describe the nature of the threats members have received in the past, Gainer called them "rather bizarre," adding that most have been "from people who have demonstrated erratic behavior." He added that there were only 49 threats in the Senate last year.

"When you think of the tens of thousands of interactions that members of the Senate or House have with the public, it's actually very low," Gainer said.



Updated: 8:50 p.m.

Scores of congressional staffers and others offered their condolences and well-wishes for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and the other victims of the Tucson shooting rampage at a Capitol Hill book-signing Monday afternoon.

The event, which was organized jointly by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), drew dozens of Hill staffers, visitors and members of Congress on the day before the House comes back into session following Saturday's tragedy. The book-signing is expected to take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day for the rest of the week.

Staffers and others lined up single-file in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building to sign two books for the victims -- a condolence book and a book of well-wishes. The books were placed on a simple fold-out table in the middle of the elegant rotunda, which was mostly silent as a steady stream of about a dozen people at a time waited in line to pay their respects.

Among those who came to pay tribute was Richard Foltin, the director of national and legislative affairs for the American Jewish Committee's office of government and international affairs.

Foltin said that he'd never met Giffords but felt compelled to attend the book-signing in order to show his support, noting that Giffords traveled with the committee to Israel about ten years ago.

"We understand that this trip had a great impact on her," he said. "Even in this time of sorrow, we think about that and that connection really strengthens our prayers, not only for her but also for all of those that were injured."

Foltin, 59, added that while the motivation behind Saturday's attack remains unclear, the incident made him recall "those horrible days when Martin Luther King and then Robert Kennedy were killed."

"One always hopes that we're not going to see these kinds of things anymore," he said. "There are deep differences between people on very important issues, and those need to be expressed, and they're part of living in a diverse society. But the challenge for us is to have those differences and yet to come together and not ever see violence be part of the picture."

Jessica Craddock, 20, was finishing up her first day as an intern for a Georgia Republican lawmaker when the book-signing was taking place.

The University of Georgia sophomore said that even in the few days she's been on Capitol Hill, she's noticed a change.

"I feel different," Craddock said. "I feel like the political climate in America is completely changed now. People have to be more on guard about what they say."

Craddock said that she feels safe working on Capitol Hill because "there's so many security checkpoints around here," as compared to her previous work on campaigns.

"Here, you have the safety of a door and security guards and a phone that if people start yelling at you, you can actually disconnect the line," she said. "You don't have to stand there and have someone physically and verbally yell at you."

Even so, Craddock added, her parents "have been texting me non-stop to make sure everything's okay."

One Capitol Hill worker who attended the book-signing brushed away tears as she left the rotunda.

The woman, who declined to give her name because she wasn't authorized to speak with reporters, said that she hadn't known Giffords or her staffers but wanted to sign her name in part because President Obama told the nation ahead of this morning's moment of silence that the country must come together.

"I do think we take it as a personal loss," the woman said of the death of Giffords's director of community outreach, Gabe Zimmerman.

She added that while she's concerned about her security, she won't allow the shooting incident to change the way she carries on her life.

"You just can't base your life on these things," she said.

Updated: 6:24 p.m.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has released a mugshot of Loughner, who will face state murder charges in addition to the federal charges already filed:

Updated: 3 p.m.

A Tucson couple recalled to the New York Daily News a visit that Jared Loughner paid to their house in August, during which the alleged gunman showed up on a motorized bike and stared at the residents with a "look of pure evil."

"He just looked at me with this slight smile. He was just looking at me for a long time. ... He looked crazy as hell, but at the same time he looked like a little kid," Susan Ward told the Daily News.

Ward said that she was so frightened by the incident that she went to a hotel that night and later purchased a gun. "I was so shaken by that experience," she said.

Ward and her husband, Norman, reportedly had moved into the home owned by a former classmate of Loughner's at Pima County Community College. The former classmate, Lynda Sorenson, had warned school officials that Loughner "scared the living crap out of me"; Loughner later was kicked out of the school.

Updated: 12:25 p.m.

The National Rifle Association declined Monday to enter the political fray over Saturday's shootings in Tucson.

Asked to weigh in on the role of the Brady Bill's expiration in the shooting, NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam told Politico's Byron Tau: "Anything other than prayers for the victims and their families at this time would be inappropriate."

The Brady Campaign has contended that the 1994 assault-weapons ban, which expired in 2004, would have prevented the alleged gunman, Jared Loughner, from buying ammunition clips holding more than 10 rounds.

Updated: 11:30 a.m.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released a statement Monday morning expressing grief over the Tucson shootings and laying part of the blame on "a society that too often shirks responsibility for our collective safety."

"The tragedy in Tucson leaves me sick with grief and sadness," Duncan said. "A dedicated Congresswoman, a respected federal Judge, and a curious nine-year-old girl interested in public service are among the victims not only of a deranged madman but also of a society that too often shirks responsibility for our collective safety. My heart goes out to the victims and their families."

-- Nick Anderson

Updated: 9:40 a.m.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and several Michigan lawmakers are proceeding with their plans to attend the North American International Auto Show today in Detroit, even as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has canceled her plans to attend.

Hoyer will join Michigan Democratic Reps. John Dingell, Sander Levin and Gary Peters at the auto show. Hoyer and Dingell are slated to hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m.

Updated: 9:04 a.m.

Jared Loughner, the alleged shooter in the Tucson tragedy, may receive the same legal representation as the "Unabomber."

Heather Williams, the first assistant federal public defender in Arizona, said officials are asking that San Diego lawyer Judy Clarke be appointed.

Clarke, a former federal public defender in San Diego and Spokane, Wash., served on teams that defended "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski and Susan Smith, a South Carolina woman who drowned her two sons in 1994.



Updated: 8:45 a.m.

Patricia Maisch, the woman who wrestled an ammunition magazine away from the alleged gunman, Jared Loughner, pushed back Monday morning against the idea that she was one of the heroes of the incident.

"The two gentlemen that knocked [Loughner] down are my heroes," Maisch told CBS's "Early Show," referring to Roger Salzgeber and Bill Badger. "I was not one of the heroes."

Maisch added that Loughner had had a stocking cap on his head and that she could see only part of the left side of his face as he lay on the ground.

Daniel Hernandez, the 20-year-old intern whose quick action at the scene may have saved Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's life, recounted the ambulance ride to the hospital, during which he stayed by Giffords's side and held her hand.

"She was really responsive to what I was saying, and when I mentioned Mark [Giffords's husband] and her parents, her grip got a little bit tighter," Hernandez told "Fox and Friends."

Joseph Zamudio, one of the three men who pinned down Loughner in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's shooting, said that he was at a nearby Walgreens buying a pack of cigarettes when he heard the gunfire, which sounded "like popcorn or fireworks or something."

"I was at the counter; I didn't even finish my transaction. ... I just took off running for the door," Zamudio told Fox News on Monday morning.



Zamudio, who said that he received his first gun at "around 8 or 9" years old, added that he was carrying a gun at the time of the shooting and that while he didn't use it Saturday, the incident reinforced his decision to carry a firearm.

"I don't even know if I'll go through an airport again because I can't take it with me," he said.

Updated 7:52 a.m.

Lawmakers on Monday morning continued to debate whether the state of political discourse has crossed the line.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said on CNN that lawmakers should set an example "so that the outside world, the media the shock jocks ... are more measured and careful about how we disagree."

Both Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Ted Poe (R-Tex.) said that they weren't likely to stop meeting with their constituents in the wake of the shooting.

"When we leave Congress, we all head to the airports ... and start seeing people. And I think we will continue to do that," Poe said.

-- Emi Kolawole and Felicia Sonmez

Updated: 7:10 a.m.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik renewed his criticism of political "vitriol" Monday morning in the aftermath of Saturday's shooting in Tucson.

"The anger that is generated against government and public officials ... is partly responsible for these kinds of incidents," Dupnik said in an appearance on CNN's "American Morning." "Because people who have troubled personalities are very susceptible ... it's a sad thing."

Dupnik said investigators have ruled out the involvement of anyone but alleged gunman Jared Loughner in the shooting, which killed six and left 14 injured. He called Loughner "a very troubled individual" and said that investigators had eyewitness testimony and other evidence that Loughner specifically targeted Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The Arizona Democrat was shot in the head and is fighting for her life at a Tucson hospital.

On whether there might have been any warning of Loughner's potentially violent behavior, Dupnik responded that he believed law enforcement "had some information" about some of his behavior but cautioned against the notion that there were "red flags" to suggest that he was troubled to the point of carrying out such a violent act.

Asked to clarify his reference to Tucson being the "Tombstone" of America, Dupnik replied that he was referring to the Old West town.

-- Emi Kolawole and Felicia Sonmez

Updated: Monday, Jan, 10, 1:00 a.m.

Mark Kelly, husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), released the following statement early Monday morning:

On behalf of Gabby and our entire family, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 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 Arizonans is her passion, and nothing makes her more proud than representing them in Congress.

Like all Americans, we mourn the loss of Judge John M. Roll, Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard and Gabe Zimmerman, a fine man and beloved member of Gabby's team. We must never forget them, and our prayers are with their families. Our hearts go out to everyone injured yesterday; we hope and pray for their quick recovery. We also extend our thanks and appreciation to all of the first responders, medical personnel, law enforcement, and Arizona citizens who acted swiftly on Saturday and continue to assist our community through this tragedy. Many stories of heroism are emerging, and they are a source of strength for us during this difficult time. We are forever grateful.

Many of you have offered help. There is little that we can do but pray for those who are struggling. If you are inspired to make a positive gesture, consider two organizations that Gabby has long valued and supported: Tucson's Community Food Bank and the American Red Cross.

Community Food Bank 3003 S Country Club Rd # 221 Tucson, AZ 85713-4084 (520) 622-0525

American Red Cross, Southern Arizona Chapter 2916 East Broadway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 318-6740

Updated: 11:17 p.m.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Danny Davis said Sunday evening that he had received a threatening e-mail message, one day after the Tucson shooting rampage in which Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) was seriously injured.

Davis told the Chicago Tribune that "it was some person who emailed one of my staff persons and said that 'Danny Davis is next.'" Davis said that his office had contacted the U.S. Capitol Police and the Chicago police.

Davis described the e-mail's author as a Chicagoan who "operates around and in the community" and has been known to "do this before."

Davis overwhelmingly won election to an eighth term in November and until last week was a candidate in the Feb. 22 race to succeed retiring Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Davis withdrew his candidacy last week and announced his endorsement of former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun.

Updated: 8:55 p.m.

A Democratic lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would make it a federal crime to use language or images that could be interpreted as inciting violence toward members of Congress or federal officials.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Robert Brady told The Washington Post Sunday night that he plans to introduce the legislation as soon as possible. The bill would give members of Congress and federal officials the same protections from threatening language and imagery as afforded to the president.

"It's not a wake-up call, it's a four-alarmer," Brady said of the Tucson shootings, adding that he last spoke with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) on Friday, the day before the attacks. Brady emphasized that he views the problem of increasingly stepped-up political rhetoric as "not a Democratic or Republican issue; it's a civility issue."

The section of the U.S. Code that Brady said he'd like to extend to lawmakers and other officials is Title 18, Section 871, which reads:

"Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

Brady said that he's confident his planned legislation would pass muster as it would simply be an extension of the existing U.S. Code.

"The bill's written already, it's constitutional," he said.

Asked about the images of crosshairs used by former Alaska governor Sarah Palin's (R) PAC in a map detailing its 20 targeted members, including Giffords, Brady said that the imagery was an example of how political rhetoric and discourse has taken a turn for the negative.

"I think we should make it that people cant do that," Brady said. "There was a crosshair on Gabby Giffords, and where's she at now? ... I don't know if we're giving people ideas by doing something like that, but we've got to do something to make that criminal."

A Palin aide contended in a Saturday radio interview that the crosshairs images were "never intended to be gun sights."

CNN first reported the news of Brady's planned legislation.

Updated: 7:30 p.m.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has canceled a previously-scheduled trip to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show in the aftermath of the Tucson shootings.

Pelosi had been slated to attend the auto show on Monday afternoon along with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and several other lawmakers. Both Pelosi and Hoyer attended the auto show last year.

An aide confirmed that Pelosi will not attend the show and is not expected to conduct any interviews or have a public schedule on Monday.

Updated: 1:20 p.m.

Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), a friend of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' (D-Ariz.) since she was elected to the House, said Sunday she told him just a week and a half ago that she was worried about the potential for violence back home.

"Gabby did tell me that she was concerned," Moran said. "She did say it's really bad out there, particularly in a district like [hers]. She was very much troubled that Sarah Palin put her in the crosshairs."

Moran said Giffords explained that, unlike in his Northern Virginia district, "a substantial percentage" of her district was "anti-government and pro-gun" --- a potentially dangerous mix.

-- Ben Pershing

Updated: 12:30 p.m.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is sedated following her surgery, according to doctors at the University Medical Center at Tucson Sunday afternoon.

Peter Rhee, medical director of the trauma center at the University Medical Center at Tucson, said at a news conference that Giffords had emerged from heavy sedation Sunday morning and was able to respond to commands. Giffords is currently on a ventilator and in a medical coma, "but we very frequently wake her up to see what her progress is, to make sure that something catastrophic hasn't occurred while she's asleep," Rhee said.

Doctors said that it was a "positive sign" that the bullet that Giffords was hit with did not pass through more than one lobe of the brain. They added that brain swelling is the biggest threat to Giffords right now, but that they are "cautiously optimistic" about her recovery.

Updated: 11:55 a.m.

Amid finger-pointing from some liberals who charge that Sarah Palin's "target list" played a role in Saturday's shooting in Tucson, an aide to the former Alaska governor told a radio show host Saturday night that using the tragedy as a means of scoring political points is "obscene" and "appalling."

According to the Alaska Dispatch site, Palin aide Rebecca Mansour said in an interview with Alaska radio host Tammy Bruce, a Palin supporter, that there was "nothing irresponsible" about the 20 crosshair-like symbols that appeared on a map of districts targeted last year by Palin's PAC, including that of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).

"We never ever, ever intended it to be gun sights. ... We never imagined, it never occurred to us that anybody would consider it violent," Mansour said.

Updated: 11:25 a.m.

Bipartisan House leaders have scheduled a Sunday afternoon conference call for lawmakers, their spouses and their chiefs of staff following Saturday's shooting rampage in Tucson.

House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (Tex.) and Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (Conn.) will host the call, which is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. More than 1,000 callers are expected to join in on the call.

House Sergeant at Arms Bill Livingood and representatives from the Capitol Police and the FBI will give a report on the shooting, the investigation and security measures for lawmakers.

In addition, a representative from the attending physician's office is expected to brief members on the condition of Giffords and her staff, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will give an update on the floor schedule for the coming week.

-- Ben Pershing contributed to this report.

Updated: 11:15 a.m.

Tillman Fertitta, a family friend of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), said Sunday morning that the lawmaker is in an induced coma.

"She is in an induced coma right now, and she'll be in the induced coma for the next few days," Fertitta said during an appearance on ABC's "This Week." "That's what the doctors feel like is best. They've got to make sure she's not -- I'm not a doctor, but they've got to make sure that, you know, they control the, you know -- that the brain continues to operate well."

Updated: 10:40 a.m.

Daniel Hernandez, a 20-year-old intern for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) whose quick action Saturday may have saved the lawmaker's life, told ABC News on Sunday morning that his first instinct was to run to Giffords's side.

"When the shooting started, my first instinct was to try and make sure that the congresswoman and her staff were okay," Hernandez said in a telephone interview on ABC's "This Week." "I have limited experience in triage and training, so when I heard gunshots, my first instinct was to head towards the congresswoman to make sure that she was okay."

The Arizona Republic profiled Hernandez on Sunday, noting that the University of Arizona junior had begun working for Giffords five days before Saturday's incident. When shots were fired, Hernandez said he immediately ran in the direction of the gunfire.

"When this happened, I kind of just shut off all emotion, because I knew I wouldn't be any good to anyone if I had a breakdown or if I ran away or if I did anything other than try and help those who needed help, so that was the congresswoman and her staff and several constituents," Hernandez said on ABC.

Hernandez said that Giffords "was alert and conscious" in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

"She was able to hold my hand when I asked her if she could hear me. I wasn't able to get any words from her. She may have been trying, but because of the way that I was having to hold her, it was a lot easier just to, 'If you can hear me, Gabby, just grab my hand to let me know that you're okay.' So it was just communication that she was doing by -- by grabbing my hand and acknowledging that -- that she could hear me."

Updated: Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, 10 a.m.

Following Saturday's attack against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), House Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (S.C.) said Sunday morning that he agreed with Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik's criticism of political "vitriol" and called for congressional leaders to more forcefully condemn overheated rhetoric.

"I think the sheriff out there in Tucson, I think he's got it right; words do have consequences," Clyburn said in an appearance on "Fox News Sunday." "And this is nothing new. I've been saying this for a long time now. We're getting ready to celebrate this weekend the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who admonished us that we are going to regret in this generation not just for the vitriolic words and deeds of bad people but for the appalling silence of good people."

Clyburn also said he applauded the Republican leadership's reaction to the attacks but called on all members of leadership to do more. He specifically pointed to an instance during the 2010 campaign when Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle (R), who fell short in her bid to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), called for supporters to take "Second Amendment remedies."

"We saw a candidate for the United States Senate saying that if you can't get what you want at the ballot box, 'let's seek Second Amendment remedies,'" Clyburn said. "What does that mean? That is a very vitriolic statement, and I think that somebody is responsible for speaking up and denouncing that kind of stuff. When you don't denounce it, people keep ratcheting it up and people get to a point where you cross the line. And I think that in this instance, this issue has crossed the line."

Among those also appearing on the show was Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Paul, an ophthalmologist, decried the attacks and speculated that Loughner may have suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.

"I think most importantly, in the initial stages here, we need to emphasize the humanity and tragedy of this whole thing," Paul said. "We're people like anybody else. Representative Giffords has a family and children, and I think that's what's most important, that we talk about the tragedy and how awful this is before we take a step beyond that. Once you do take a step beyond that, I've looked at some of the writings of this young man, and from a medical point of view, there's a lot to suggest paranoid schizophrenia, that this man was a really sick individual."

Asked whether the issue of gun control might have played a role in the attacks, Paul said he was doubtful, noting that Giffords is a defender of the Second Amendment.

"I don't think that plays into this at all," Paul said. "Really, I think they're unrelated. It's probably about a very sick individual and what should've been done for that person. But the weapons don't kill people; it's the individual that killed these people."

Updated: 11:20 p.m.

The nine-year old girl who was killed in Saturday's shooting has been identified as Christina Taylor Green.

Green was born on Sep. 11, 2001, according to Tucson TV station KVOA.

The Arizona Republic reports that Green was taken to Saturday's event by a neighbor who thought she would enjoy it.

Green had been elected to her school's student council and had loved swimming, horseback riding, basketball and ballet, according to local reports.

Updated: 10:50 p.m.

Giffords spokesperson C.J. Karamargin told The Washington Post that among those shot were three Giffords staffers, one of whom, Gabe Zimmerman, died Saturday. The other two -- Ron Barber, Giffords' district director, and Pam Simon, a community outreach aide -- were expected to recover.

"He did this job for a reason: to help people," Karamargin said of Zimmerman, who was a social worker by profession. He organized all of Giffords' "Congress on Your Corner" events and town halls.

John M. Roll, the federal judge killed in the shooting, had been shopping at the supermarket, not part of the community event. Leaving the Safeway, Karamargin said, Roll saw the congresswoman and "stopped by to say hi."

An intern at the event played a critical role in helping Giffords, as he has had some nurse training and aided her until the EMS arrived.

-- Paul Kane

Updated: 8:45 p.m.

Just after 7 p.m., several dozen well-wishers gathered on the steps of the Capitol for a vigil for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and the other victims of Saturday's shooting spree in Tucson.

Many were native Arizonans who were stunned at the violent incident back home and seeking some comfort. others connected it to the current political atmosphere.

"We wanted to send some kind of message nationally that maybe it's time for us to stop inciting violence by bringing guns to rallies and that type of thing," said Jason Gooljer, 31, who helped organize the event via Facebook around 4 p.m.

When asked if he partially blamed Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who posted a U.S. map on her Facebook page last year depicting gun crosshairs over Democrats she wanted to defeat, he said, "of course her language played a part. We'd like to see this stop."

Standing outside the Capitol amid an icy wind, Dana Mozie Jr., a 42-year-old consultant from the District of Columbia, said that he hadn't known Giffords personally but decided to brave the winter night to show his support for the congresswoman.

"Even if I'm just one person. ... It was one person that caused all that tragedy, then I'll be that one person here to symbolically let them know that yeah, we do care," Mozie said.

Mozie said he was stunned that the attack happened days after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) handed the gavel over to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in a peaceful transfer of power.

"This was the moment you feared," Mozie said. "This is something you see overseas, in Iraq and other countries, political violence. You wonder, is this the tip of the spear? Has America come to the point where we are unbelievers in the process?"

A Tucson native who works on Capitol Hill wiped away tears as he left the vigil.

"It's senseless," he said of the attacks.

-- Sandhya Somashekhar and Felicia Sonmez

Updated: 8:15 p.m.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) announced after speaking with congressional leaders from both parties Saturday evening that the House will postpone all legislative action planned for next week. The House had been slated to debate and vote on a measure to repeal the national health-care overhaul.

"Our nation was shocked by the tragedy in Arizona earlier today," Cantor said. "Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff, and others became the victims of a senseless act of violence. Congresswoman Giffords serves Arizona's 8th District with distinction and thoughtful leadership, and it is horrifying that she was exposed to such violence at an event designed to reach the people she represents. I couldn't agree more with Speaker Boehner, who earlier said that, 'an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.' Along with our nation, this institution has suffered a horrible tragedy. We are saddened, mourn those who lost their lives, and stand together in hopeful prayer for the recovery of the victims and their families."

"All legislation currently scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives next week is being postponed so that we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today's tragedy," Cantor added. "Further information relating to a revised House schedule will be released tomorrow."

Updated: 6:40 p.m.

A vigil for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is planned for 7 p.m. tonight on Capitol Hill, according to a Facebook page publicizing the event.

The vigil's organizers plan to meet at the corner of 1st Street and Independence Ave. SW and walk to the Capitol.

The Arizona state House Democrats have also made plans for a vigil in Phoenix at 6 p.m. local time Saturday night.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Congresswoman Giffords, her staffers, others and their families," House Democratic Leader Chad Campbell said. "This is a horrific and senseless act, and we are all praying and sending out our thoughts for the victims today."

Updated: 6:05 p.m.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Giffords' last national television interview before Saturday's attack was with Fox News Channel's Bill Hemmer on Friday. In the four-minute interview, Giffords discussed her proposal for a 5 percent pay cut for members of Congress and her support for the House's recent move to cut committee and legislative office operating budgets by 5 percent. She also touched on the ongoing debate over the national health care overhaul.

"It was great political theater to look at some of these town halls," Giffords said of the summer 2009 town hall meetings on health care. "I had very passionate town halls in southern Arizona. But the reality is that this Congress, for example, passed a bipartisan $600 million border security funding bill in August. ... There were a lot of bipartisan bills that passed."

Updated: 5:40 p.m.

Giffords's husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, flew Saturday afternoon on a private plane from Houston to Tucson, according to a NASA spokesman. The plane was not a NASA jet, according to the spokesman.

Kelly is living and training in Houston and is set to command STS-134, a Space Shuttle Endeavour mission scheduled to launch on April 1.

-- Ed O'Keefe

Updated: 5:10 p.m.

U.S. Capitol Police on Saturday urged members of Congress to exercise caution in the aftermath of an attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) at an event with constituents in Tucson.

"While the United States Capitol Police does not specifically discuss the security of Members of Congress including details on our protective measures, the United States Capitol Police has communicated with House Members of Congress advising them to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal safety and security," Capitol police spokesperson Kimberly Schneider said in a statement Saturday afternoon.

"The United States Capitol Police remains at a high level of readiness, consistent with our operating conditions on U.S. Capitol Grounds, and we continue to maintain a robust presence," Schneider added.