In Memoriam: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [Updated: Reported Alive and in Critical Condition]

Update: Despite receiving numerous reports that Giffords had passed away, the attending surgeons at the local hospital state -- thankfully -- that she is still alive and are "about as optimistic as it can get in this situation". 18 people were reported as shot; one of the fatalities was a 9-year old girl.

The alleged shooter apparently left an online suicide note.

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Gabrielle Giffords, 1970-2011
This is Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on her wedding day in 2007. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, family members, staffers and friends.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was shot and killed at a shopping center in Tucson Arizona earlier today. CNN reported that as many as a dozen others were wounded or injured in the incident.

An employee at a store nearby told a reporter for CNN that he heard a series of shots. The shooting occurred at a Safeway supermarket during an event Ms. Giffords called "Congress on Your Corner."

The New York Times notes that these types of constituent events allowed residents of the Arizona 8th Congressional District to meet with her individually. In one such event in 2009, the Times notes, "a protester was removed by police when his pistol fell on the supermarket floor."

In March, the glass front door of her office was reportedly broken just hours after the House vote to pass the Democrat health care overhaul.

Ms. Giffords was 40 years old and was married to a NASA astronaut and Naval aviator, Commander Mark Kelly.

Rest in Peace, Gabrielle Giffords.