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Congresswoman's attacker acted alone

Published:Monday | January 10, 2011 | 12:00 AM
From left: Nadine Heiden, 16; Stella Chavin, 17; Marilyn Hill, 12; and Ally Tanzillo, 19, comfort each other at a memorial in downtown Tucson, Arizona, yesterday for United States Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and other victims of the mass shooting that took place on Saturday. - AP

TUCSON, Arizona (AP):

Federal prosecutors brought charges yesterday against the gunman accused of attempting to assassinate United States Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killing six people at a political event in Arizona.

Investigators said they carried out a search warrant at Jared Loughner's home and seized an envelope from a safe with messages such as "I planned ahead", "My assassination" and the name "Giffords" next to what appears to be the man's signature. He allegedly purchased the Glock pistol used in the attack in November at Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson.

Court documents also show that Loughner had contact with Giffords in the past. Other evidence included a letter addressed to him from Giffords' congressional stationery in which she thanked him for attending a 'Congress on your Corner' event at a mall in Tucson in 2007.

Heather Williams, the first assistant federal public defender in Arizona, said the 22-year-old suspect did not yet have a lawyer, but that her office was working to get one appointed. Williams' office was asking for an outside attorney because one of those killed was US District Judge John M. Roll.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said yesterday that Loughner acted alone.

Frantic scene

Meanwhile, authorities released 911 calls in which a person witnessing the mass shooting outside a grocery store in Tucson describes a frantic scene and says, "I do believe Gabby Giffords was hit."

Loughner fired at Giffords' district director and shot indiscriminately at staffers and others standing in line to talk to the congresswoman, said Mark Kimble, a communications staffer for Giffords.

"He was not more than three or four feet from the congress-woman and the district director," Kimble said, describing the scene as "just complete chaos, people screaming, crying".

Loughner is accused of killing six people, including an aide to Giffords and a nine-year-old girl who was born on September 11, 2001. Fourteen others were wounded. Authorities don't know Loughner's motive, but said he targeted Giffords at a public gathering around 10 a.m. on Saturday.