Congresswoman Shot In Arizona

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) remains in critical condition following this weekend’s deadly shooting in Arizona.

Giffords, 40, was meeting with constituents outside of a Tucson-based Safeway when a gunman fired a bullet at her head from a mere few feet away. The gunman also fired upon the crowd, killing 6, including a Federal Judge, a Giffords’ staffer and a 9 year old girl.

22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner was identified as a suspect. Loughner has been charged with 5 counts, including 2 for the murder of a federal employee, two for attempted murder of a federal employee and the attempted assassination of a member of Congress.

While investigators have not yet released a motive for the shooting, a search of the suspects’ home yielded a handwritten letter that refers to Giffords, uses the words “assassination” and is signed by Loughner. A YouTube profile attributed to Loughner features disjointed political ramblings and a video of a figure garbed in a trash bag and sweatshirt burning the American flag.

Loughner will appear in court in Monday.

In response to the shooting, the House leadership has suspended the bulk of their scheduled legislative activity. President Barack Obama has called for a late-morning moment of silence Monday.