Arizona:
The man charged with shooting 20 people, including US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, appeared in a US court for the first time on Monday. He has been charged with five crimes including attempted assassination of a member of Congress and murder of two federal employees.
Twenty-two-year-old Jared Loughner was brought to the court with his head shaved and in handcuffs. The gunman in Saturday's mass shooting in Arizona, Loughner could face life in prison or death penalty for the killings.
Among the six people killed was a nine-year-old girl who was born on the day of the September 11, 2001. Loughner's target, US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is fighting for her life in hospital.
Earlier on Monday, US President Barack Obama led Americans to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the weekend's shooting.
"Obviously all of us are still grieving and are in shock from the tragedy that took place. Giffords and others are still fighting to recover. Families are still absorbing the enormity of their losses," he said.
Loughner's motive is still unclear, but authorities say it was a planned attack.
During a search of Loughner's home, the FBI found an envelope on which was the Congresswoman's name was written along with the worlds "I planned ahead" and "My assassination."
Loughner will be represented by the same lawyer who defended Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Timothy McVeigh. His next court appearance was set for January 24.