US congresswoman has been shot in the head and five other people have been killed by a gunman in Arizona. Shock news coming in confirms that Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, whose 40, was shot at close range in front of hundreds of people at a public meeting in Tucson.
She is in a critical condition, but the doctor treating her said he was "very optimistic about her recovery". President Barack Obama said the dead included a nine-year-old girl and a federal judge he named as John Roll and played tribute to the striken congresswoman. he asked the nation to keep her and the other victims in their thoughts.
He said: "As many of you are aware, earlier today a number of people were shot in Tucson, Arizona, including several who were meeting at a supermarket with a congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. "We are still assembling all the facts but we know that Representative Giffords was one of the victims. She's currently in a hospital in the area and she is battling for her life"
"We also know that five people lost their lives in this tragedy, among them were a federal judge, John Roll, who has served America's legal system for almost 40 years, and a young girl who was barely nine years old."
He added that a suspect was in custody but it was not clear what provoked the "unspeakable act". The suspect has been identified as Jared Loughner.
Mr Obama said a comprehensive investigation was under way.
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