Arizona Congresswoman Shot In The Head At Event UPDATED

Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head today at an event at a grocery store in her home district in Tuscon.  NPR is reporting she has been taken to nearby University Medical Center.

The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

At least nine other people, including members of her staff, were hurt. Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson. Her condition was not immediately known.

Giffords was talking to a couple when the suspect ran up and fired indiscriminately from about four feet away, Michaels said.

The suspect ran off and was tackled by a bystander. He was taken into custody. Witnesses described him as in his late teens or early 20s.

More on this tragedy as it unfolds.  Hopefully the Congresswoman and all injured will recover.

[UPDATE]:  AP is reporting that Gabrielle Giffords did not survive her injuries.

[UPDATE 2]:  NPR is reporting that six others were also killed in the shooting.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff's office confirms.

A terrible day for America.

[UPDATE 3]:  Hotline On-Call's Reid Wilson:

I did a story once on Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, a NASA astronaut who is scheduled to captain the next shuttle flight.

This is an absolute travesty. 

[UPDATE 4]  Dave Weigel reminds us that the last Member of Congress to be assassinated was Democratic Rep. Leo Ryan of California, in Jonestown in 1978.

[UPDATE 5]  Gawker is reporting an eyewitness account identifies one of the victims in the shooting as a ten-year old child.  Jesus, Mary, Sikkar and the Flying Spaghetti Monster.  A ten-year old kid.

[UPDATE 6]  MSNBC reporting now that Giffords is not dead, but in critical condition. 

[UPDATE 7]  Congresswoman Giffords remains in very critical condition at Tuscon's University Medical Center, in surgery now to try to save her life.  President Obama calls the assassination attempt "a senseless and terrible act that has no place in a free society."   Once again, at this time, Rep. Giffords is alive and in surgery.

[UPDATE 8]  Talking Points Memo is reporting that one of the victims shot at the event was a federal judge. 

[UPDATE 9]  The federal judge, Chief Judge John Roll, appointed by Bush Sr., has died. 

[UPDATE 10]  US Capitol Police are putting the toll at 18 shot in total, 6 dead so far including Judge Roll.  Congresswoman Giffords remains in critical condition. 

[UPDATE 11]  AP reports the shooter as one Jared Laughner. 

[UPDATE 12]  Press conference at the medical center, 11 brought in including Giffords, one dead, 5 critical, 5 in surgery, docs "optimistic" Giffords will recover.  The person who died in surgery was the 9-year old girl.  My God.

[UPDATE 13]  President Obama speaking now at the Oval Office, says he's sending FBI Director Mueller to Arizona to assist Gov. Brewer in the investigation.  Confirms that Judge Roll and the 9-year old girl were among the 5 dead so far.  "What Americans do in a time of tragedy is come together."

[UPDATE 14]  Arizona's GOP Gov. Jan Brewer speaking, says "We have disturbed people in our communities who do terrible things" and urges the country to "move on" from this disaster. Very bizarre speech.