I thought I would update you on the events that have unfolded today locally. All the local networks are covering this 24/7 and new information is being added often.
Gabby is in a medically induced coma. She is incredibly lucky. The bullet entered her brain about the ear area and exited in the same hemisphere out her forehead. She was responding when she entered the hospital and could move her arms and legs. The doctors are briefly bringing her out of the coma to check her condition and she is responding to commands. Her brain is swelling as expected, but doctors have that under control.
The reasons given for Gabby's survival are her youth, the quick trip to the trauma center, and the way the bullet entered her brain.
http://azstarnet.com/...
The person of interest, whose picture was released today, turned out to be a cab driver who drove Jared Loughner to the Congress on Your Corner event at Safeway where Gabby was shot. He has been cleared.
http://azstarnet.com/...
Jared Loughner, the shooter, is being transported to Phoenix and is being charged.
According to a complaint filed today by the U.S. District Attorney's Office, Loughner is charged with killing U.S. District Court Chief Judge John Roll and Gabriel Zimmerman, a staff member of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
He's also charged with attempting to murder Giffords and two other members of her staff, Pamela Simon and Ron Barber.
Loughner is scheduled to make his initial court appearance at 3 p.m. Monday before Magistrate Judge Lawrence Anderson at the Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse in Phoenix. He remains in federal custody.
http://azstarnet.com/...
Loughner shot 31 bullets. As he changed the magazine, a woman who had been shot grabbed the magazine away from the gunman. Two other men then subdued the shooter.
http://www.kold.com/...
In all twenty people were shot. Six of them died.
The people who died are:
Christina Taylor Green, a third grader born on 9/11, who was brought to the event by a neighbor. The neighbor was shot four times. Dallas Greene, Phillie's manager, was her grandfather.
Here is her mother's heartfelt message regarding Christina
http://www.blogforarizona.com/...
Gabe Zimmerman, 30, director of community outreach for Gabby. He was recently engaged.
John Rolls, a federal judge who came to visit Gabby on his way home from church.
Dorwan Stoddard, 76, who threw his body on his wife's body to protect her. He was shot in the head. His wife was shot in the leg and will survive.
Phyllis Schneck, 79
Dorothy Morris, 76
http://azstarnet.com/...
I'm so proud of University Medical center. It is currently our only trauma center.
UMC took in 11 patients, 5 in serious condition, needing mass casualty type surgery from the carnage. Five people died at the scene and Christina came in dead. Doctors could not resuscitate her.
Of those brought in yesterday, only Gabby is still in critical condition.
Sheriff Dupnick is taking hits for calling out hate speech.
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/...
As some of you know, this shooting happened less than two miles from my house, at the supermarket where I shop at least twice a week. The shopping center is still closed up today, blocked off by sheriff's cars. The FBI is still on scene. The town has an eerie quietness. The community is sad and grieving. I feel like I have PTSD.
Also, I know a lot of misinformation floated around yesterday, and I was as guilty as others for passing on things I was hearing, although I was hearing them from reputable people involved with Dem politics in Tucson. I apologize for that.
I think most that I have posted today is accurate, but update me if necessary.
Here are the best local sources that are updating info as they know it.
http://www.azcentral.com/
http://azstarnet.com/
http://www.kold.com/
http://www.kvoa.com/...
Here are some local blogs that are also following the story.
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/...
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/...
http://arizona.typepad.com/
Lastly, here is part of the statement released by my school superintendent:
We are responsible for turning what might not make sense into what does. When we join a school organization, we all assume the role of teacher, either through the direct work that we do or through our example to students, who watch the way we behave as a model for how they will know to act. It is at times like these that we are called upon to step forward and help students to deal with difficult and complex issues. I expect that throughout the day, the events of Saturday morning will be topics of discussion by and with students of all ages. I am confident that you will provide the support and example for them that will make this tragedy a learning experience from which they will understand that life is indeed precious and never to be taken for granted. That sometimes, when life brings us challenges for which there are no reasonable answers, we are called upon to simply stand together and provide support for each other. That might be the best we can expect and is what being human is all about.
http://azstarnet.com/...
Peace, friends.