(Headline changed to account for followup conflicting stories saying Giffords is alive and in critical condition)[Update] Reports now say Giffords is in surgery and waiting for the press conference. News is reporting she is in grave condition.
[Update #2] Nine injured badly, including Giffords. Reports are saying up to 15 shot. One dead is being reported as being a child. (Later reports say 19 shot)
Nothing yet on the shooter or motive.
AZ central says a person in the crowd actually shot back at the gunman.
[Update #3] Fox has Linda Lopez on the phone reporting Giffords is alive.
The confusion seemed to stem from multiple law enforcement, in the confusion of many being shot, telling news outlets that Giffords did not make it.
[Update #4] Alleged shooter is 22 year old Jared Loughner who lists on his YouTube profile his favorite books as being Mein Kampf, The Communist Manifesto, Siddhartha.
More on him at The Politico.
Gifford made it through surgery and doctors report that although she is in critical condition, they are optimistic.
Original post 12:35pm
CNN:
At least 12 people were shot at a Tucson grocery store on Saturday, and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among them, a Democratic party source told CNN.
Giffords, 40, was holding a constituent meeting at the grocery store when the shooting occurred, according to a schedule posted on her website.
CNN could not confirm conditions for Giffords or any of the others wounded, but the Tuscon Citizen newspaper was reporting that Giffords was shot in the head.
The Democratic source described the situation as "pretty serious,"
The shooting occurred at a Safeway shortly after 10 a.m. MST, according to sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jason Ogan.
NPR :
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff's office confirms.
NPR also reports a bystander tackled the gunman, who from reports, was acting alone and he was taken into custody. Witnesses say the gunman was in his late teens or early 20's.
Prayers and sympathies go out to her husband other family and friends.
(Headline changed to account for followup conflicting stories saying Giffords is alive and in critical condition- corrections made)
Updates as the facts come out.
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