A candlelight vigil was held at the state Capitol in Phoenix Saturday night to remember the victims of a morning shooting in Tucson that left at least 5 dead and several wounded. Among the wounded was U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Tucson.
About 150 attendees gathered in front of the Capitol building holding candles in support of those killed. U.S. District Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl were two of the confirmed dead.
The shooting occurred at a Safeway in northwest Tucson where Giffords was hosting an event called “Congress on Your Corner.” At the event, constituents were allowed to approach the congresswoman and ask questions about any topic. Giffords has hosted several of these events since her taking office in 2007, according to her website.
Former Congressman Harry Mitchell, D-Tempe, said during the vigil that Giffords was doing what she would always do.
“She was listening to her constituents and acting in the best interest of her district, this state, and this country," Mitchell said.
According to authorities and several media reports, a gunman opened fire at the morning event in Tucson, hitting at least 10 people, including Giffords.
Giffords was taken to University Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the head and is currently in critical condition, said Darci Slaton, a hospital spokeswoman. Four victims of the shooting remain in critical condition and five others are in serious condition, she said.
Slaton confirmed five were dead, while Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said five were killed at the scene and a sixth victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. Slaton could not confirm the sixth death.
Dupnik said at a press conference in Tucson Saturday evening that Giffords was the shooter’s intended target. Dupnik said the suspected shooter, a 22-year-old male who may have attended Pima Community College, is currently in custody.
Several media sources have identified the shooter as Jared Loughner.
Dupnik also said that the suspect in custody did not act alone and that authorities are searching for a second suspect — a man in his 50s.
ASU President Michael Crow released a statement Saturday expressing shock over the incident.
“I speak for the entire Arizona State University community in offering deepest condolences to the friends and families of the deceased,” Crow said.
Mitchell, religious leaders and other speakers at the Saturday night vigil conveyed a message of unity and hope.
“We pray for their families, we pray for their loved ones, we pray that healing and hope can happen,” said Rabbi Mari Chernow of a Jewish synagogue in Phoenix.
Mitchell said this is not a time for division or casting blame.
“We gather tonight in the name of unity and civility,” he said.
One protester at the event, George Clifton, held a sign saying he stands with immigrants. During the vigil he yelled his support of immigrants, saying the morning’s violence was a result of prejudice and hatred.
“It’s time to quit cowtailing to the McCains, the Arpaios and the Brewers,” Clifton said. “We need to stand strong and we need to be much more vocal.”
Johanna Morago, a Gila River Indian Community resident, traveled to Phoenix to support the congresswoman and those who had been injured or killed, and said hearing the protester during the vigil was distracting.
“It was totally inappropriate,” she said. “He was trying to make it into something to do with immigration.”
Newly elected Congressman David Schweikert, R-Tempe, attended the vigil and said this was a time to take in and understand what happened.
“I’ve already been upset that a couple of people on the radio and other places are trying to find political wedges, which is unconscionable,” Schweikert said. “Play politics a month from now, or two months from now, or a year from now, but not right now.”
Sheila Ryan, a member of the anti-violence organization “Women in Black Against War and Violence,” said attending events like the vigil is a manifestation of her values.
“I cannot imagine not being here,” Ryan said.
At a news conference in Washington, D.C., President Barack Obama called Giffords a friend.
“She is not only an extraordinary public servant, but she is also somebody who is warm and caring.”
Reach the reporters at tdmcknig@asu.edu and ymgonzal@asu.edu
