Shot US Congresswoman responsive after attack

Tucson: Representative Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona Democrat who was gravely wounded in a shooting rampage, remained in critical condition on Sunday but has been able to respond to simple commands, and her doctors described themselves as "cautiously optimistic" about her recovery.

At a news conference at University Medical Center, the congresswoman's doctors said that she was the only one of the victims of Saturday's shooting to remain in critical care at the hospital. They said that she was lucky to be alive but would not speculate about the degree of her recovery, which they said could take months or longer.

"Overall this is about as good as it's going to get," said Dr. Peter Rhee, the chief of trauma surgery at University Medical Center, where Ms. Giffords was brought by helicopter from the shooting scene outside a supermarket north of Tucson. "When you get shot in the head and a bullet goes through your brain, the chances of you living are very small and the chances of you waking up and actually following commands is even much smaller than that."

Dr. G. Michael Lemole Jr., the chief of neurosurgery, who operated on Ms. Giffords, said that the bullet had traveled through the entire left side of her brain "from back to front" but said that it had not crossed from one side of the brain to the other, nor did it pass through some critical areas that would further diminish her chances of recovery.

The doctors said Ms. Giffords, 40, was in a medically induced coma but that they had awoken her several times to check her responsiveness. While the doctors described themselves as extremely pleased with the progress of her treatment, they cautioned that it was too soon to make any predictions. "This is very early in our course," Dr. Rhee said. "We don't know what's going to happen, what her deficits will be in the future or anything like that."

The doctors said that brain swelling and other complications still posed large risks in the days ahead.

Darci Slaten, a spokeswoman for the medical center, said the congresswoman's husband, the astronaut Mark E. Kelly, was with her, as were her parents and two stepchildren. As the doctors provided the update on Sunday, law enforcement authorities tried to piece together what prompted a troubled young man to go on a shooting rampage here that killed six people, including a federal judge, and wounded Ms. Giffords and 13 others. The authorities called for the public's help in finding a possible accomplice who was still at large.

Officials said the attack could have been  more devastating had not one of the victims tried to stop the suspect as he tried to replace the spent magazine on his weapon. The police did not identify the woman, who was among those shot by the gunman.

The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Mueller III, who traveled from Washington to oversee the shooting investigation at President Obama's request, said that he expected the first charges to be filed against the gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, on Sunday afternoon.

Among those killed were John M. Roll, 63, the chief judge for the United States District Court for Arizona, and Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, who was the director of community outreach for Ms. Giffords. The others who died were identified as Christina Green, 9; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwin Stoddard, 76; and Phyllis Schneck, 79.

Darci Slaten, a spokeswoman for the medical center, said the congresswoman's husband, the astronaut Mark E. Kelly, was with her, as were her parents and two stepchildren. Four other victims of the shooting were in critical condition at the hospital and five others were listed as serious on Sunday.

Two witnesses at the scene tackled the gunman, who was arrested and identified as Jared Lee Loughner, 22. And law enforcement officials on Sunday morning released a photograph of a second man being sought as a possible accomplice.

The photograph, released by the Pima County Sheriff's office and taken from a surveillance video camera at the shopping complex, showed a man in his 40's or 50's wearing a blue jacket and jeans. The authorities said he may be connected to Mr. Loughner and they appealed for help in identifying and locating him.

Jason Ogan, a spokesman for the sheriff, said the department had not identified the man, but that witnesses told authorities they had seen him with Mr. Loughner at the scene.

The new House speaker, John A. Boehner of Ohio, in an early Sunday appearance in his hometown of West Chester, decried the attack and said it was reminder that public service "comes with a risk." Mr. Boehner urged prayers for Ms. Giffords and the other victims and also told his House colleagues to persevere in fulfilling their oath of office. "This inhuman act should not and will not deter us. No act, no matter how heinous," he said, "must be allowed to stop us."

He also said the normal business of the House for the coming week has been postponed "so that we can take necessary action regarding yesterday's events." That business had included a vote to repeal the health care overhaul.

Mr. Loughner, who was in custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Saturday night, refused to cooperate with investigators and had invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, the sheriff's office said.

Mr. Loughner had exhibited increasingly strange behavior in recent months, including ominous Internet postings -- at least one showing a gun -- and a series of videos in which he made disjointed statements on topics like the gold standard and mind control.

Pima Community College said he had been suspended for conduct violations and withdrew in October after five instances of classroom or library disruptions that involved the campus police.

As the investigation intensified on Sunday, police were still at the scene of the shooting, a shopping center known at La Toscana Village, in the pre-dawn darkness. Investigators have described the evidence collection as a painstaking task given the large number of bullets fired and victims hit.

All of the cars in the parking lot have also been scrutinized in search of the shooter's car, but so far no vehicle linked to the suspect has been found. The authorities were seen on Saturday entering the Loughner family house about five miles from the shooting scene.

The shootings raised questions about potential political motives, and Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik blamed the toxic political environment in Arizona. There were immediate national reverberations as Democrats denounced the fierce partisan atmosphere in Ms. Gifford's district and top Republicans quickly condemned the violence.

Dr. Peter Rhee, medical director of the hospital's trauma and critical care unit, said that Ms. Giffords had been shot once in the head, "through and through," with the bullet going through her brain.

President Obama, speaking at the White House on Saturday, said that the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Mueller III, would oversee the investigation in Arizona.

Mark Kimble, an aide to Ms. Giffords, said the shooting occurred about 10 a.m. in a small area between an American flag and an Arizona flag. He said that he went into the store for coffee, and that as he came out the gunman started firing.

Ms. Giffords had been talking to a couple about Medicare and reimbursements, and Judge Roll had just walked up to her and shouted "Hi," when the gunman, wearing sunglasses and perhaps a hood of some sort, approached and shot the judge, Mr. Kimble said. "Everyone hit the ground," he said. "It was so shocking."

The United States Capitol Police, which is investigating the attack, cautioned lawmakers "to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security."

Speaking of Ms. Giffords's condition, Dr. Rhee said at a news conference, "I can tell you at this time, I am very optimistic about her recovery." He added, "We cannot tell what kind of recovery, but I'm as optimistic as it can get in this kind of situation."

Ms. Giffords remained unconscious on Saturday night, said C. J. Karamargin, her spokesman.

Several aides to Ms. Giffords were wounded. Ms. Giffords, who represents the Eighth District, in the southeastern corner of Arizona, has been an outspoken critic of the state's tough immigration law, which is focused on identifying, prosecuting and deporting illegal immigrants, and she had come under criticism for her vote in favor of the health care law.

Friends said she had received threats over the years. Judge Roll had been involved in immigration cases and had received death threats.

The police said Ms. Giffords's district office was evacuated late Saturday after a suspicious package was found. Officers later cleared the scene.

Ms. Giffords, widely known as Gabby, had been speaking to constituents in a store alcove under a large white banner bearing her name when a man surged forward and began firing. He tried to escape but was tackled by a bystander and taken into custody by the police. The event, called "Congress on Your Corner," was outside a Safeway supermarket northwest of Tucson and was the first opportunity for constituents to meet with Ms. Giffords since she was sworn in for a third term on Wednesday.

Ms. Giffords was part of the Democratic class of 2006 that swept Democrats into the majority in the House. She narrowly won re-election in November, while many fellow Democrats were toppled and the House turned to Republican control.

"I saw the congresswoman talking to two people, and then this man suddenly came up and shot her in the head and then shot other people," said Dr. Steven Rayle, a witness to the shootings. "I think it was a semiautomatic, and he must have got off 20 rounds."

Dr. Rayle said that Ms. Giffords slumped to the ground and that staff members immediately rushed to her aid. "A staffer had his arm around her, and she was leaning against the window of the Safeway," the doctor said. "He had a jacket or towel on her head."

At least one of the other shooting victims helped Ms. Giffords, witnesses said.

Television broadcasts showed a chaotic scene outside a normally tranquil suburban shopping spot as emergency workers rushed to carry the wounded away in stretchers. Some of the victims were taken from the site by helicopter, three of which had arrived.

Law enforcement officials said that the congresswoman had received numerous threats.

Congressional leaders of both parties issued statements expressing outrage at the shooting as well as concern and prayers for Ms. Giffords and her family.

Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, issued one of the strongest statements, saying: "I am horrified by the violent attack on Representative Gabrielle Giffords and many other innocent people by a wicked person who has no sense of justice or compassion. I pray for Gabby and the other victims, and for the repose of the souls of the dead and comfort for their families."

He added, "Whoever did this, whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race."

Ms. Giffords is a centrist Democrat who won re-election in part by stressing her strong support for gun rights and for tougher immigration controls, including tighter border security, even though she opposed the controversial Arizona law.

Last March, after the final approval of the Democrats' health care law, which Ms. Giffords supported, the windows of her office in Tucson were broken or shot out in an act of vandalism. Similar acts were reported by other members of Congress.

In August 2009, when there were demonstrations against the health care measure across the nation, a protester who showed up to meet Ms. Giffords at a supermarket event similar to Saturday's was removed by the police when the pistol he had holstered under his armpit fell and bounced on the floor.

In an interview at the Capitol last week, Ms. Giffords said she was excited to count herself among the Democrats who joined the new Republican majority in reading the Constitution aloud from the House floor. She said she was particularly pleased with being assigned the reading of the First Amendment.

"I wanted to be here," she said. "I think it's important. Reflecting on the Constitution in a bipartisan way is a good way to start the year."

As a Democrat, Ms. Giffords is something of anomaly in Arizona and in her district, which has traditionally tilted Republican. Last year, she barely squeaked to victory over a Republican challenger, Jesse Kelly. But she had clearly heard the message that constituents were dissatisfied with Democratic leaders in Washington.

At the Capitol last week, Ms. Giffords refused to support the outgoing Democratic House speaker, Nancy Pelosi of California, in her symbolic contest with the Republican, Mr. Boehner of Ohio. Instead, she cast her vote for Representative John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and hero of the civil rights movement.

"It's not surprising that today Gabby was doing what she always does: listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors," Mr. Obama said during a news conference Saturday, calling her a "friend of mine" and an "extraordinary public servant." "I know Gabby is as tough as they come," he said. "Obviously, our hearts go out to the family members of those who have been slain." "We're going to get to the bottom of this, and we're going to get through this," he said.

The shooting mobilized officials at the White House and throughout the highest levels of government, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department.

Rabbi Stephanie Aaron, who in 2007 officiated at the wedding of Ms. Giffords and the astronaut Mr. Kelly, and leads Congregation Chaverim in Tucson, said the congresswoman had never expressed any concern about her safety. "No fear. I've only seen the bravest possible, most intelligent young congresswoman," Rabbi Aaron said. "I feel like this is really one of those proverbial -- seemingly something coming out of nowhere."

At Ms. Giffords's district office, a group of about 50 people formed a prayer circle. Chris Cole, a Tucson police officer whose neighborhood beat includes the district office, said of the shooting, "This kind of thing just doesn't happen in Tucson."

Behind the office, in the parking lot, campaign volunteers stood around a car with the door open, listening to a live radio broadcast of a hospital news conference updating the congresswoman's condition. A cheer went up when it was announced that she was still alive.

The volunteers included Kelly Canady and her mother, Patricia Canady, both longtime campaign workers. Patricia Canedy had worked for Ms. Giffords since she served in the State Senate while Kelly, her daughter, moved to Tucson 13 years ago and was active in last year's campaign and in the health care debate.

"She's one of those people who remembers you. She always spoke to me by my first name," Kelly Canady said. "She loved everybody. She was very easy to talk to. She was one of the main reasons I will stay involved in politics."