NEW UPDATE: There are now conflicting reports on whether or not she has passed away, obviously we hope that the earlier reports were wrong.

UPDATE: CNN is now confirming that Congresswoman Giffords is dead.

Fox and MSNBC are also confirming the death and reporting up to six other fatalities.

I am sure this is one event where everyone agrees that our thoughts and prayers should be with the victims and their families.

The White House has not issued any official reports or statements but Ed Henry on CNN is reporting that officials have told him that the reports on the Congresswoman’s condition are very bad and that one staffer may have died.

Again this is not official but combined with the news of her being shot in the head it is not encouraging.

Local television is streaming coverage of the attack

UPDATE: CNN has been speaking to an employee of a store in the same shopping center. He has said that Giffords was shot in the head and was evacuated by Life Flight helicopter but she was moving. He also says he is seeing bodies which could indicate fatalities. He is also unsure if the shooter was captured.

Obviously in the case of the employee his information should be taken with a grain of salt.
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Breaking news just coming out that Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Giffords and a number others (some reports said three but newer reports say up to twelve) have been shot at a public even in Tucson.

The early word is that she was holding a public meeting called “Congress On Your Corner” at a Safeway store when a man walked or ran up and opened fire. It is not clear how serious the injuries were but some reports say the shooting was at point blank range and that the Congresswoman was shot in the head.

The status of the gunman is also unclear, some reports saying he was tackled by bystanders while others say he escaped. Indeed it is not entirely clear that it was a man though that is not an unreasonable assumption.

Giffords is a member of the Blue Dog coalition and is one of the more moderate members of the Democratic caucus. Congressman King (R-NY) said on Fox News that she is very well liked and respected on both sides of the aisle.

She has represented Arizona’s 8th district since 2006 and won a close re-election battle in 2010, defeating her opponent by a 49-47 margin. She is married to astronaut and Naval Officer Mark Kelly making her the only member of Congress who is married to an active military officer.

More details as they come in