NPR just announced that Arizona Democrat Gabrielle Giffords was shot by a gunman who went up to her at a public meeting at a Tucson market. She was with several of her staff who also were attacked. No news yet on her condition, or that of her staff, or whether the gunman was arrested.
No need to say too much here about how the right has been threatening to take "second amendment" actions. Let's hope she and her staff are okay.
Update: This is not the way I wanted to first make the rec list. Thanks for the other links. News is coming in very slowly from traditional media, but I expect a lot will flow this afternoon.
Update 2: NPR just announced that she was killed. I'm speechless. I'm sure the DKos community's hearts are with her family and friends. They also report that the shooter has not been caught.
Update 3: NPR is now reporting "conflicting reports" as to whether she is dead or in surgery. Bloomberg describes the coverage: "National Public Radio and CNN reported Giffords and six other people died. Politico.com later quoted C.J. Karamargin, a spokesman for Giffords, as saying the congresswoman had survived. The Associated Press reported she was hospitalized in critical condition."
Most reports now say that someone has been arrested, though no names yet.
Since the story has been reported on the front page, comments should probably move to that thread.
Update 4: She is reported out of surgery. The suspect is identified as Jared Lee Loughner, age 22. Politicoquotes him,
"You don't have to accept the federalist laws," the video above says; It also insists on the gold and silver standard, talks of revolution, and suggests that the government is imposing "mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar."
He is also reportedly a veteran of the Afghan war.