Tea party, LGBT groups respond to shooting of Rep. Giffords: News. Politics. Media

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head Saturday afternoon at a congressional meet-and-greet in her Tucson district.

Doctors say the shot went through her head, through her brain, and out the other side. She has undergone surgery and is currently listed in critical condition. Police say at least 18 were shot during the attack, and five of them have been confirmed dead by hospital officials. The shooting victims are hospitalized in serious or critical conditions.

Police have identified a suspect, naming 22-year-old Jared Loughner. Loughner, of Tucson, appears to have a YouTube video channel on which he has posted videos of burning U.S. flags. He lists among his favorite books classics such as Alice in Wonderland, as well as the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf.

Giffords was targeted by Sarah Palin in the November election because she supported health care reform legislation. Giffords’ district was one of the districts Palin’s PAC marked with a rifle sight on its Facebook page.

“We’ll aim for these races and many others,” the site said. “This is just the first salvo in a fight to elect people across the nation who will bring common sense to Washington.”

Tea party activists, meanwhile, were quick to distance themselves from the shooting.

Gene Clem sent a message to the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots Facebook group:

This shooting in AZ seems to be an act by a deranged individual as of this time (4:30 pm EST, 8Jan). The main stream media is bent on bringing the Tea Party into the story. There is nothing to indicate that any Tea Party organization is behind this and to even hint that there is, is ludicrous. …

Please pray for those wounded and the families of those killed today. And pray for our nation and our local and federal leaders that they be guided by God’s Truth.

While police have the alleged gunman in custody, there has been no statement from investigators as to what motivated the shooter.

Giffords serves on the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. That group released a statement about the shooting:

“Congresswoman Giffords’ support for our LGBT family has never faltered. After coming off of one of the closest races in the most recent election cycle, one in which she was criticized for her support of equality issues, she didn’t hesitate for a moment to support the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’. She has stood with us unrelentingly and in this sad time we stand with her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Congresswoman, her staff and their families,” said LGBT Congressional Staff Association President, Chris Crowe.

The Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBT organization based in D.C., also released a statement about the shooting from group President Joe Solmonese:

“We are shocked and saddened by the events involving Congresswoman Giffords and our hearts go out to her and the other victims of this awful tragedy. Gabby Giffords is a champion for LGBT equality and a principled leader for Arizona. We wish her a speedy recovery as our thoughts and prayers are with her family as well as with the families of all of those touched by today’s horrific violence.”