Gabrielle Giffords, U. S. Congresswoman, Democrat, Arizona

January 8, 2011: Breaking News — CNN is reporting that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D, Arizona) has been shot point blank in the head at a “meet and greet” at Safeway Super Market in Tucson this morning. At least 4 people are dead, including a Federal judge and one of the congresswoman’s staff members, and 12 or more are injured, according to report. Three Life Flight helicopters arrived on the shooting scene to transport the injured to hospitals. A witness from a nearby store said 15-20 shots were fired from what sounded like a semi-automatic firearm. The shooter, 22, has been captured.

Congresswoman Giffords is married to Capt. Mark E. Kelly, NASA astronaut, whose twin brother, Scott, also an astronaut, is commander of the International Space Station and is stationed there until March 2011. At last word, Rep. Giffords has survived surgery and 5 others remain in critical condition. Among the dead is one child.