TUCSON, Arizona, Jan 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was fatally shot during a public appearance on Saturday, National Public Radio said.

NPR said a gunman ran up to Giffords, 40, a Democrat, and opened fire. The suspect was taken into custody, NPR said.

Media reports said about a dozen other people also were shot. (Writing by Bill Trott, editing by Anthony Boadle)