Prosecutors file five charges against Arizona gunman

[News_Editor]

Prosecutors file five charges against Arizona gunman

2011-01-10 04:24:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX (BNO NEWS) -- Prosecutors on Sunday filed a federal complaint against Jared Lee Loughner, charging him with the attempted assassination of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday.

The shooting happened at about 10.11 a.m. MST at a supermarket in northwest Tucson on Saturday where Giffords was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner" of the year. Loughner, 22, opened fire, killing six people and injuring 13 others.

Among the fatalities were 9-year-old Christina Greene and U.S. District Judge John Roll. U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who appears to have been the target, was critically injured as a result of a gunshot wound to her head.

Loughner is now facing five counts in the federal complaint. These are for the attempted murder of Giffords, the unlawful killing of Giffords' staff member Gabriel Zimmerman, the unlawful killing of Roll, the attempted murder of Pamela Simon, and the attempted murder of Ron Barber.

Prosecutors also released the 'statement of probable cause' by FBI Special Agent Tony Taylor, providing more details about the events. "Your affiant reviewed a digital surveillance video depicting the events at the Safeway; in the video, Judge Roll is seen speaking for several minutes with Mr. Barber," Taylor wrote, adding that Loughner then opened fire.

"Loughner was apprehended at the scene after bystanders tackled and disarmed him," Taylor added. "At the scene, law enforcement recovered the handgun used by Loughner, a Glock semi-automatic pistol."

According to the statement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) determined that Loughner purchased the Glock pistol on November 30 at Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson. This was confirmed by store receipts and video.

Further, Taylor stated that evidence was seized from a safe at Loughner's residence in Tucson. This includes a letter dated August 30, 2007 from Giffords to Loughner, thanking Loughner for attending a "Congress on your Corner" event in Tucson.

"Also recovered in the safe was an envelope with handwriting on the envelope stating 'I planned ahead,' and 'My assassination' and the name 'Giffords,' along with what appears to be Loughner's signature," Taylor added.

Loughner, who remains in federal custody, is expected to make an initial court appearance at 2 p.m. local time on Monday in front of Magistrate Judge Lawrence Anderson at the Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse in Phoenix.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-10

[chuckd]

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Edited January 10, 2011 by chuckd