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Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona Shot During Constituent Meeting; Nancy Pelosi Comments on Shooting; Psychiatrist, Criminologist Says Suspect Admired Hitler; Arizona Governor Brewer Holds a Press Conference

Aired January 08, 2011 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: Welcome back, everyone to our live coverage of this tragedy. We want to get you now to Arizona where the Governor Jan Brewer is stepping up to the mic. Here she is.

(BEGIN LIVE FEED)

GOV. JAN BREWER, (R) ARIZONA: Good afternoon.

All of Arizona is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy that transpired this morning in Tucson. I have been in contact throughout the morning with law enforcement officials, as well as Mayor Walkup (ph), and just a short while ago with the president of the United States.

The president conveyed his heartfelt sympathies for our state and shared determination to ensure that justice is fully served.

I am just heart broken. Gabby is more than just a colleague, she's actually a friend. She's always been a noble public servant, and my thoughts and my prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family, the congresswoman's staff and their families as well as other victims of this senseless and cruel violence.

I've ordered the flags to be flown at half staff in honor of those who have lost their lives today. It's an unbelievable tragedy that the people of Arizona experienced today. One of which, of course, in our worst nightmares we would never could have imagined would have taken place. I must tell you that a lot of information has been provided to all of you. We are in constant contact with some officials and we will be kept abreast and we will do whatever it is that is necessary for us to do. But I will say that I ask the people of Arizona, I ask the people of America to keep the victims and their families in their prayers and pray for their recovery and pray that we never again in Arizona have to ever experience a tragedy like this ever again. And I would be glad to...

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can you tell me more about your relationship, you called her a friend. Can you tell about how far back you go and the last time you saw...

BREWER: Gabby served in the Arizona State Senate when I was in the secretary of state's office, and grown to love her and respect her, and certainly as campaigning statewide, she campaigned in the southern part of Arizona. I campaigned in the same areas but not only during the campaign effort, but certainly just going down and speaking to different groups like the Red Cross or Davis Marten (ph) Airport or library causes, Gabby always showed up and we were always and often appearing together on the same stage. And she was a genuine, nice, kind, hardworking servant for the people of district eight. Always courteous to everyone. She never really played partisan politics. She was serious about what she did and she was always concerned with what -- with what good of her district. And so you have to admire someone like that. She was a very gracious -- and is a very gracious elected public servant.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Governor, are you worried how this makes Arizona look?

BREWER: I think that it is something that certainly a state would not like to have happen in their state, or tragedies happen, and certainly we know that people should be held accountable and responsible for their actions. This certainly doesn't show favor on the state of Arizona, but we have a lot of good, decent people here as this is one of those horrible tragedies that we face. And we need to move on and make sure that those kinds of things don't happen.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Governor, will this change how you meet with your constituents?

BREWER: It's interesting. I've always been sort of the kind of person that always was with the people. I had an incident when I served on the board of supervisors in Maricopa County when we had a shooting take place when one of our supervisors was shot. And at that time, it was a realization that these things can happen. That we have, for whatever the reasons, disturbed people in our communities that sometimes do...

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: We apologize for that. Obviously having some technical difficulties there is. That was the governor of Arizona Jan Brewer talking about who she calls not only a co-worker, colleague but a friend, as well. Let's listen back in.

BREWER: -- Because I've always believed that government ought to be open and people ought to be freely, will be able to access the facilities. I think it's important, but I would assume under the circumstances that we've all seen today, the security in some manner probably will be increased.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE). What did you ever chance to tell him?

BREWER: Well, basically the same thing. He was very, very gracious, was totally nonpartisan, it was not political. He wanted to assure me as the president of the United States that whatever that they could do, they would send their resources. They would be there for whatever is needed. That they would be working with my team. Make sure that all the numbers were conveyed to their staff. And that we will posted, indicated that the FBI would be doing the investigation, and that we would be in touch. I told to him, you know, I've tried to tell him and explain to him what a horrible tragedy and what a sad, sad day this is for not only Arizona, but for America.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Have you spoken to anyone from Representative Giffords' staff or family or circle?

BREWER: I have not. I have spoken with mayor walkup, who has spoken with I believe Congresswoman Giffords' father and he's assured me that he too would keep me posted, on hands down there at DMC (ph). And I spoke to the speaker but I have not been able to reach them.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Governor, will this have any impact on the events scheduled here on Monday? (INAUDIBLE)

BREWER: At this point in time, we have discussed that. You know, we had been down here, we had just begun the first 10, 15 minutes for the activity tomorrow when we got news that this awful tragedy had happened. So we just shut everything down, and speaking with the speaker, I think that this afternoon and early tomorrow morning, we will determine just exactly what direction we will be going.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Did you ever work with Ms. Giffords' on any specific legislation?

BREWER: I think that I have. I can't think of it right now in regards to it, but I remember being on the floor with Gabby talking about legislation and just when I became a secretary of state. And so it would be something I have to go back and look in my records.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Thank you, governor. (INAUDIBLE)

LEMON: That was Arizona Governor Jan Brewer talking about her colleague and that she said her friend, Gabrielle Giffords, but she calls her Gab or Gabby. And that's sort of the sentiment that everyone who has spoken out about this congresswoman has said about her. She's a kind woman, nonpartisan, hard worker, the kind of person who never met a stranger.

I'm Don Lemon. Thanks for joining us. It is 5:07 Eastern Time. And I want to tell you, we have some new information concerning the man who police believe is responsible for this. CNN is being told that by an Arizona law enforcement source, and a U.S. law enforcement source that they have identified the suspect in this shooting, his name is Jared Lee Loughner. Jared Lee Loughner. Other law enforcement source puts his age at 22. There was some concern, 22, maybe 23. But 22- year-old Jared Lee Loughner, CNN has confirmed through a law enforcement source and also another U.S. law enforcement force and an Arizona law enforcement source that that is the suspect who committed this heinous act. We're following this story with new information.

Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is fighting for her life at this moment. Shot through the head today while meeting with constituents outside of a Tucson grocery store. Six people died and 12 were wounded when a gunman opened fire. Giffords now is out of surgery. Doctors updated her condition just a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: The congresswoman is not deceased.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Can you tell us her condition currently?

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: She's in critical condition. The neurosurgeons have finished operating on her and I can tell you at the current time, I'm very optimistic about recovery.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Giffords, seen here with her husband, NASA Shuttle Astronaut Mark Kelly, was holding a Congress on your corner event at a busy Tucson Safeway when the gunman opened fire at close range, we're told very close. Federal Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old child were among those who were killed. At least five others are in critical condition, we were told by the hospital at the press conference just a short time ago. Police have a suspect in custody. Again, we're just getting this, he's identified as 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, Jared Lee Loughner, a weapon has been recovered, as well.

Our Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash and Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry are in Washington right now, they're joining us and our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta standing by for us on the phone. Sanjay, I want to go to you real quickly, because I want to talk about this type of injury and for a doctor, a neurosurgeon to say that they are optimistic, that's a good sign.

SANJAY GUPTA, CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a very good sign. And listening closely to that press conference, Don, one of the things that really stuck out, they said that while she is in critical condition, she is following commands. That's such an important thing to note there, that someone is following commands, coming out of surgery, even though she may have a breathing tube in. It means that she's able to hear what someone is saying, saying a command such as raise two fingers, for example. She hears that, she processes that and she's able to execute some sort of function based on that. Raising two fingers means that several things in her brain are actually working very well. So from a neurological perspective, that's something you really want to look for and the fact that she's able to do it is a very important and good sign, Don.

LEMON: Do you know anything about her health right now? Apparently she is a healthy person, otherwise I know you're not her doctor. But she would have to be, one would assume, in good health to undergo something like this and still be responsive.

GUPTA: Well, you know, I mean, we don't know a lot about the -- I don't know a lot about her previous health. I think she's relatively a young person. But, you know, the situation with a gunshot wound to the head and how serious it is, is dependent on a lot of things, obviously the type of munition that was used, the range which I know, I heard you described as close range, was this a glancing sort of shot, meaning, you know, did it sort of bounce sort of off the skull more than actually penetrate. Those things are all important. Which side of the head specifically, there are areas of the brain if they are hit or damaged would cause more concern than other areas of the brain.

LEMON: Can she can go on and lead a normal life after this, if she does, indeed make a full recovery?

GUPTA: Well, you know, I couldn't say that right now and I'm not sure her doctors could say that right now. Because, this is, you know, obviously in the very acute aftermath of this. But, again, I think at this stage, after a close range gunshot wound to the head, that she's alive, obviously, she's following commands. Those are good signs. Exactly what her function will be, will she have any difficulties with speech, with strength, all those things, I don't think anybody could or probably should frankly say at this time for sure yet.

LEMON: All right. Our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Sanjay, thank you very much and we'll tell you that our chief white house correspondent and our senior congressional correspondents are standing by. Ed Henry and Dana Bash in Washington and they're going to update you. And Kate Bolduan is also standing by. Ed has some information about how the president found out and what's happening behind the scenes at the White House right now. We want to hear from you. We've been hearing a lot about this story. Thank you so much on social media updating us. We're updating you as well. So make sure you check out our accounts. We're right back after the break with this breaking news here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Welcome back everyone. We're following breaking news. Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona fighting for her life right now, after being shot at close range by a gunman. CNN just moments ago found out the name of that suspect. They believe the gunman, according to a law enforcement source, a U.S. law enforcement source and an Arizona law enforcement source, Jared Lee Loughner, 22 years old. We're also learning now, a 9 millimeter glock handgun found at the scene, recovered at the scene along with an extended magazine. Those are the details. And new details that are coming in now.

Meantime, let's go to Washington with our chief white house correspondent Ed Henry. He's standing by, as well as Dana Bash, our senior congressional correspondent. And Kate Bolduan, our national correspondent, all in Washington today. Ed, I'm going to start with you. The president spoke moments ago about this tragedy. How did he find out about the news and what's the reaction there at the White House?

ED HENRY, CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you're right, Don, the president came out and said that this is a time for everyone in Arizona, but also everyone around the nation to come together. We're getting new information from a senior White House official about when the president was notified. It was about 1:20 p.m. Eastern Time. He was told by John Brennan, that's his principle Homeland Security Advisor here at the White House, as well as Jim Messina who is a deputy chief of staff, he's involved in operational details here at the White House. Then we're told that at about 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the president started making a series of phone calls, congressional leaders and others. And was also starting to receive some briefings, starting with FBI Director Bob Mueller, his own Secretary Janet Napolitano, as well as the attorney general of the United States, Eric Holder, his National Security Advisor Tom Donilon.

So, you can get an idea, a several other officials as well. But you get the magnitude of how this is touching just about every layer of this administration, this federal government right now. Critical to underline as well that after receiving those briefings, the president himself noted this in his remarks, he told the FBI Director Robert Mueller to fly to Arizona personally to help oversee the coordination of this investigation, all of these local law enforcement as well as federal investigators involved in this. And the president made those calls and he mentioned congressional leaders in both parties. But also important to note, we're just now learning the president also called Congresswoman Giffords' husband and left a message, he did not reach him though.

We had gotten earlier reports that her husband, as well as maybe a child was trying to fly from Texas to Arizona. We're trying to piece all that together. But we're told the president reached out to the husband, could not reach him, left a message. So you get an idea of both the personal as well as just the job that has to be done by this Federal government to try to respond as quickly as they can to get to the bottom of all of this -- Don.

LEMON: Ed Henry, stand by. I don't mean to cut you up. We have some developing news here. I want to go to our Susan Candiotti who is joining us on the story, as well. Susan, you have some new information were told about the gun that was recovered from the scene.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Don. We don't know exactly where the gun was recovered from. However, a law enforcement source has identified it as a glock 9 millimeter, glock 9 millimeter which of course can hold several bullets in one clip. I don't have the specific number at hand. However, law enforcement authorities naturally at this point will be looking it over, tracing the weapon, finding out the registration, who owned it, where was it bought, if they can identify that information and trace it back. At this time, I cannot say whether it has been traced directly to the suspect who has been identified and who is in custody at this time.

LEMON: Susan, I have been told that the shooter may have gotten off as many as 20 rounds, 20 shots that he fired specifically at the congresswoman?

CANDIOTTI: Well, you have been hearing more about what the weapon (INAUDIBLE) have been saying, that's correct. A number of shots were fired according to witnesses. That, of course, is part of the investigation, trying to recovery as many of those shell casings as possible to determine how many shots were fired during the course of this terrible shooting.

LEMON: All right. Susan Candiotti with new information on the gun, which was recovered. Not sure if it was at the scene or where it was recovered. Then you saw some law enforcement there in a parking lot, in an area looking, searching that had been cordoned off. I want to go back now to Washington. We just spoke with our Ed Henry. I want to go to Dana Bash. Ed -- Dana, Ed talked about the importance of this from the White House. And I'm sure, this is your beat, Congress. People are very concerned about this. What is the mood among our lawmakers now?

DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've already heard from several lawmakers in both parties that they have been burning up the phone lines, burning up the internet talking to each other about obviously what a horrible, horrible tragedy this is. This is their friend, this is their colleague and they're thinking, you know, this could be us, frankly. I want to say a little bit about Gabrielle Giffords, Gabby Giffords as she is know, she was just elected to her third term, Don, she's relatively new to Congress. She came in with the big democratic wave back in 2006 and she represents a moderate, she's a real moderate. She represents a pretty conservative districts right along the border in Arizona. She deals with immigration issues probably as much or more than any other member of Congress, immigration obviously being a very, very fiery and tumultuous issue.

But she is, she -- I've mentioned earlier that I actually happened to talk to her just yesterday, just yesterday in the hallways. She was coming off of the House floor, talking about how clearly sort of relieved she was that she had won this third term, that most, many of her colleagues, specifically those Blue Dogs or conservative Democrats did not make it, did not win re-election, she did and she talked about a wonderful trip that she was able to take the last minute with her parents to Rome and she was able to go see the Vatican. And so, she was in good spirits and eager to get back home to Arizona for the weekend. As she does, as we've heard from many of her friends in the colleagues.

So, often even though it's not a close trip because she sees it as her job to do what she was doing when this horrible tragedy happened, which is to talk to constituents. Now, on the other issue of members of Congress, we are getting statements pouring in, pouring in from Democrats, from Republicans, from the Senate, from the House, from the new republican Speaker John Boehner, that the democratic leaders all across the board are pouring out their concern, their emotions and their anger about what has happened. And on the issue of frankly of safety and of what members of Congress need to be looking for now, we have gotten some notices that the capital police, they have sent out to both House members and Senate members. And I just got this and I want to read to you, this is actually...

LEMON: Before you read that, Dana, I'm going to get to you. I want to alert our viewers, this is new video, this is the FBI at the crime scene. As you heard from the president, he's saying -- he is sparing no expense in finding out who is responsible for this, the FBI is involved. This is new video from our affiliate KNXV at the scene. And you can see they have it cord off. And they are searching. Dana, that leads me to my next question to you, what about security for our congressman?

BASH: Yes.

LEMON: The president and higher ranking members of our government have secret service. That doesn't happen for congressman, does it?

BASH: Not rank and file congressman. Frankly, before I answer that, I just want to get to this little piece I think of news that came out of this notice that went out to all senators that we got sent to us from a source, and that is, "there is no indication at this time that this event is part of a larger threat against the congressional membership or has a nexus to terrorism. But the investigation is ongoing." Now, this is a notice again that went out from the capital, police actually went to Senate offices but very interesting to note that their initial indication is that there are no larger threats to other members of Congress, which brings me to answer that question that you just asked Don, about what kind of security members have.

Capital police understandably, they're very reluctant to talk about security because of what we just saw here. But the bottom line is that there is security for members of the leadership, people who are high profile, and rank and file members, they get on planes, they walk around just like you and me Don, for the most part, unless there happens to be a specific threat that security officials in the capital police know about. And they obviously do monitor that. There was a time over the past year during the health care debate for example where we were reporting extensively on serious threats to members of Congress. Gabby Giffords herself had vandalism to her district office back in Arizona. But for the most part, you know, this is what they do. They go out and they talk to people, and I will tell you that Chellie Pingree, she is one of Gabby Giffords colleagues, she is a Congresswoman from Maine, she was on air earlier today and she said that she does fear that this horrible incident will have a, quote, "chilling effect on members of Congress who want to go out and do their jobs."

LEMON: And Dana, hold that though, I want to talk to you in a bit about the mood of politics, left versus right and all of this and there, there are some concerns we've been getting, hearing from people about, this may have triggered some of that. We don't know. We don't know the suspect's motive or motivation right now, but I want to talk to you about that, but we need to take a quick break here.

Also when we come back, we're going to talk with Representative Ed Pastor, he's a democrat, he's from Arizona. He has known Giffords since they were state senators. And he received a phone call from the president. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: We are continuing to follow this breaking news for you. A shocking attack this morning at a Tucson, Arizona grocery store. Six people are dead, 12 others wounded, including Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who suffered a gunshot to the head at close range. Giffords is now out of surgery and is listed in critical condition, but doctors say they are optimistic about her recovery. We've also learned that Federal Judge John Roll was killed in the attack. The shooting happened this morning while Congresswoman Giffords was holding what's called a constituent meeting at the store. Police do have a suspect now in custody that we learned a short time ago. This is who they're identifying the man as, 22-year-old Jared Loughner, 22- year-old Jared Loughner. They have also recovered a hand gun, our Susan Candiotti tells us, it is a 9-millimeter hand gun.

And we saw new video moments ago from our affiliate KNXV of FBI agents on the ground searching for any clues, any information that they can get to find out exactly what happened here. OK, joining me now is Dana Bash. Again, Dana, before the break, I talked to you about the mood and the tone in Washington and politics these days. We know what's out there, we've seen what's going to be happening on social media, some people blaming, you know, certain members, certain elected and nonelected members. We don't know the motivation yet. But does this send some sort of signal to us and to our lawmakers about how we view politics and tone?

BASH: Well, you're absolutely right that we don't know the motivation. But regardless, something like this tends to be a wakeup call. And we've already heard from some members of Congress who have been on our air earlier today saying that they do hope that this is a wakeup, wakeup call for both parties to try to get out, get the word out there to their supporters, to constituents, to maybe even the blogosphere which is not easy, to tone it down a little bit. You know, we actually got a statement from John McCain, the senior senator from Gabby Giffords' home state of Arizona, who obviously didn't point the finger that way, but was very, very strong and I think maybe indicative of what we're talking about. He said, whoever did this, whatever reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race. And he said, they deserve and will receive the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law. When you're hearing a republican like John McCain say that, and we're hearing from John Boehner and other Republicans say that, it's hard to imagine that there isn't going to be a coming together of some sort of both parties in Congress after this.

LEMON: All right. Dana, thank you very much. Please stand by, because I want to talk to someone who knows the congresswoman. Joining me now is Representative Ed Pastor, he's a democrat from Arizona. He's known Giffords since, let's say, were state senators. And he received a phone call from the president. Hello, Congressman. Hello, Representative.

REP. ED PASTOR (D), ARIZONA (on the phone): How are you?

LEMON: I'm OK. I imagine you're not doing so well today.

PASTOR: Well, it's gone like a roller coaster ride. When I first heard that she had been killed, obviously it was great sadness. And then when there was a report that she was going to be in surgery, then there was more optimism. And now when I heard the report that the surgeons have completed the operation and that they're optimistic she's going to recover, well, there's an optimism and joy. Because, obviously, as a young woman, promising career, it would have been very tragic if her life had been taken.

LEMON: You received a phone call today?

PASTOR: Yes, I did.

LEMON: From the president? PASTOR: The president called to let me know that the White House was very much involved, was keeping up with what was happening and that they were remorseful this happened in Arizona, that they would let us know as news came in to the White House and they would keep us abreast of what was happening. He also told me that he talked to the governor and was making available to Arizona all the resources of the federal government to make sure the investigation was done and people who were injured and needed help would be helped.

LEMON: Listen, Representative, thank you so much. Stand by, because I want to talk a little bit more with you.

I don't know if you heard my conversation with our congressional correspondent, Dana Bash about -- she's say thing is a wakeup call to both parties and people who are in Washington, and obviously beyond.

And I'm going to talk with Congressman Trent Franks, a Republican there, also about Congressman Gabrielle Giffords.

We're back in a moment here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Breaking details on CNN. We're going to continue to follow this for you, a shocking attack, very shocking attack this morning in Tucson, Arizona at a grocery store. We're going to give you the information now that six people have died, 12 others wounded, including Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who suffered a gunshot at close range to the head. Giffords is now out of surgery. That's what the hospital said. She's listed in critical condition, but doctors say they are optimistic about her recovery.

We have also learned that Federal Judge John Roll was killed in the attack. The shooting happened this morning while the congresswoman was holding a constituent meeting at the store.

Police have a suspect in custody. They are saying his name is Jared Loughner, Jared Lee Loughner. He's 22 years old. They've also recovered a .9 millimeter handgun.

Joining me now is Arizona Congressman Trent Franks, and Arizona and Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor.

Congressman Pastor, I was talking to you before the break. Dana Bash and I were talking about the members of Congress and Senate, our leaders in Washington, and whether or not this is a wakeup call.

PASTOR: Oh, yes it is. I have to tell you that I've heard from colleagues that this is a chilling effect. Obviously, most of us don't have security. And today in some states, Arizona, a person can get a gun with great ease. and because of the 24-hour, seven days a week, you can get it on any radio show or TV or blogging and all that kind of stuff, where all the hate is being spewed against politicians and members of Congress and elected officials that, you know, people think now, if they want to make a statement, they can do it by bringing bodily harm to someone who doesn't agree with them. LEMON: Representative Franks is in Washington, our Washington bureau.

I want to ask you the same question, Representative Franks.

REP. TRENT FRANKS, (R), ARIZONA: I think it should remind all of us is true tolerance is not pretending you have no differences with each other. It is that you have a continuing commitment to be kind and decent and respectful of each other in spite of those differences.

What happened today is horrifying beyond my ability to articulate. It's been such an up-and-down thing emotionally because we were told different things. I'm just so thankful that it looks like Mrs. Giffords is going to recover. I pray she does in every way. And I am so deeply hurt by the loss of the other people that were at this event today, the judge and this little 9-year-old girl. I don't think any of us sometimes understand what a breathtaking loss this can be to the loved ones that surround them.

And I hope somehow that, as a people, in general, that we just realize that the respect for innocent human life and being kind to each other is so very important, because we are here for such a short time.

LEMON: I'm glad you mentioned Judge Roll. Here's what we are hearing. I want to ask you this, Representative. He had protection from U.S. Marshals a year ago or so because of a huge multimillion- dollar immigration suit he decided. He was a Bush 41 appointee. Do you know anything about that?

FRANKS: I'm aware of it, but the reality is, I think that when this analysis comes to an end here -- I'm afraid that really what's happened here is you've got a lunatic that's just unhinged, that's just an evil degenerate, that is at the root of all this, and to try to analyze it politically, at least now is premature. Because it seems to me, from what I've learned so far, tells me this is just a monster that thought he would get to his 15 minutes of fame by killing some people. And it's hard somehow to defend against that.

I hope that somehow, as a people, we don't let ourselves be intimidated by evil monsters like this, that somehow we realize, yes, there is great risks in a free republic where we have the opportunity to interact closely with those we represent. But freedom is still worth a lot of risk. And I hope we just send a message to those that would harm innocent people and the people like Gabby Giffords, who is the last one in the world anyone should think about hurting, that we're not going to be intimidated by you and we're going to go on and be a free country. And God help those that try to come against free people just doing their job.

I have to throw something in quickly. Gabby Giffords was reading the Constitution the last time I saw her on the floor. She was reading the First Amendment, which includes the right to peaceably assemble. She was out doing her job, exercising her First Amendment rights when someone shot her at close range. That should invoke the wrath of the entire country and we should respond accordingly.

LEMON: Very well put. Thank you so much for that, sir. I want to ask you, you're a Republican. She's a Democrat. It's been said she was a moderate and that we heard the Arizona Governor Jan Brewer say she wasn't really a political in that way, a partisan, I should say.

FRANKS: I mean, just being honest, Gabby and I were pretty much at opposite ends of the political spectrum. But there was never an unkind or terse or mean communication or word that came between us. She was always absolutely kind and decent to me. And I just -- I suppose that just intensifies the hole in my heart I have for her and all of those that suffered the loss today that they did.

LEMON: Thank you, Representative Ed Pastor, who is on the phone, and also Representative Trent Franks, who you see there in Washington. Thank you for joining us here on CNN. My condolences to your colleague and to your friend, because of this tragedy. And hopefully, she will pull through.

Up next, we'll talk to a doctor. His name is Park Dietz. He is a forensic psychiatrist and criminologist who worked on infamous cases such as John Hinckley, Jeffery Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and the list goes on. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, breaking news here on CNN. And we want to go to Dr. Park Dietz, who is on the phone right now. He is a forensic psychologist and a criminologist who has worked on infamous cases such as John Hinckley, Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, and the list goes on and on.

Thank you, Doctor, for joining us. This is still all unfolding and we're getting new information. But what does it take to carry out a shooting like this?

DR. PARK DIETZ, FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST & CRIMINOLOGIST: There are two different things going on here. The first is --

(AUDIO PROBLEM)

DIETZ: And it may be a little early --

(AUDIO PROBLEM)

LEMON: Doctor, we're having a little bit of trouble. I think we're hearing some people in the background who may be speaking. I don't know if you are close to someone, but if you can repeat what you said. What does it take to carry out something like this?

DIETZ: It takes being paranoid and suicidal -- (AUDIO PROBLEM).

And this young man has, on web sites attributed to him, information indicating that his favorite book is "Mein Kampf" and various more conventional utopian novels. He has concerns that his own civil rights are being violated. He has concerns about their being a new currency introduced, all of which suggests that there's something quite wrong with his thinking. And the good news from that is that would mean he would be a lone assailant.

LEMON: 22 years old, Dr. Park, 22.

DIETZ: Yes. That's the common age of onset of one of the most serious mental illnesses that would be characterized by paranoia and concerns about global important conspiracies and issues. I think, when all is said and done, we'll learn he had the onset of that illness.

LEMON: 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner. Do you see -- already see similarities to cases that you've worked on in the past to this one?

DIETZ: Well, we don't know enough about him yet to be sure. But I can tell you that mass murderers and assassins have in common the idea that they will find their place in history and that they are doing something that brings about a correction to --

LEMON: Doctor, please stand by. I hate to interrupt you.

We want to go to San Francisco and Nancy Pelosi, at an event, is now speaking.

REP. NANCY PELOSI, (D-CA), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: -- as well. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of them, all of their families. Congresswoman Giffords is a great patriotic American, a representative of Congress, of a new generation of leaders, brilliant, patriotic. Her husband is a Navy captain who was on the "Endeavor" space flight. Her brother-in-law is in space right now. And so their commitment to our country is a great one.

Congresswoman Giffords is a strong fighter, and the news, as it goes by in the day, has improved in terms of her condition. We're all very prayerful as we learn more.

However, there is some loss of life, and for that I want all of you to join Congresswoman Barbara (INAUDIBLE), Congressman (INAUDIBLE) for a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives, for their families, for the staff of Congresswoman Giffords, as well as for her family in terms of our hopes and prayers. But also, as I thank all of you, my constituents, let us join in prayer with Gabby Giffords' constituents in Arizona as well, who have suffered a terrible loss today.

(MOMENT OF SILENCE)

PELOSI: And now, out of love for our country, to lift our spirits, we're very pleased to have the San Francisco girls' chorus sing about our beautiful country.

LEMON: All right, that's Democratic minority leader, former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, at an event in San Francisco, speaking out, as you heard, about this tragedy and holding a moment of silence for the congresswoman and for the people who lost their lives during this horrible event.

Our Dana Bash, our senior congressional correspondent, is in Washington, D.C., with new information. She'll give you an update right after this.

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LEMON: Don Lemon at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. Updating breaking news out of Tucson, Arizona. Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was by a gunman today while meeting with people in her district. Six people were killed in the mass shooting, including a federal judge. 12 others were wounded. The suspected gunman, 22- year-old Jared Lee Loughner, 22 years old. He is now in custody. A .9 millimeter handgun with an extended magazine has been recovered.

Giffords, who is seen here with her husband -- her husband is astronaut Mark Kelly -- had just won her third term after a close, contentious campaign. She was meeting this morning with constituents outside a busy Safeway supermarket when that shooting started. The doctors say the congresswoman is out of surgery now and she is expected to survive. Their words, optimistic. That's what they said.

Let's go now to our senior congressional correspondent, Dana Bash, joining us from Washington.

Dana, you have some new information you want to talk about what's going on there among our Congress people as they get word of this?

DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Don, I just spoke with the Senate sergeant at arms. He is the man who is in charge, effectively in charge of all security for Senators. Obviously, Gabby Giffords is a member of the House, not the Senate, but this is very interesting what he said to me. He said -- this is Terry Gainer, sergeant at arms. He said that threats to members of the Senate, at least, had been very low of late. They said they have not been high. He said he gets briefings very, very frequently and he has been struck by how low they are.

He also said to me that when it comes to the gunman that we have been reporting on, he said, it appears to be an isolated incident. Underlying appears, because, as we all know, that initial information when it comes to horrible tragedies like this tend to change, but that is his initial information.

We have reached out to the House sergeant of arms, Bill Livingood, but we have not heard back from his office.

But I thought that was noteworthy to hear from at least the man in charge of the Senate security, that it doesn't uptick at all, that this does appear to be at least initially one man who was, for whatever reason, focused on this one area and perhaps this one member.

LEMON: Yes. Republican Arizona Congressman Trent Franks said to -- relayed the same sentiments to me on the air just moments ago. And he said we, here in the news business, like to -- we want to dig and figure out what's going on. He said it's premature to wonder if it's the mood or what it is. We should be thinking more about these people who are in the hospital and those who have died.

BASH: That's very true. That's very true. We should also note -- and you and I talked about this earlier -- that we've also heard from other members of Congress who have said, regardless of the motivation, regardless of whether it's related to the atmosphere in politics or not, that when it comes to members of Congress and them doing their job, that this could have an initial chilling effect on just the idea of whether or not it's a good idea to go out and have a town hall or have a "Congress on your Corner," as Gabby Giffords was doing. I can't imagine, at least, the way that members of Congress will proceed is not going to be reassessed in the future.

LEMON: Yes, one Congressman said this is definitely a wake-up call.

Dana Bash, thank you very much. Please stand by.

We're learning more about the suspected gunman here. His name is Jared Lee Loughner. He is 22 years old. He's in custody. I'm going to talk to Park Dietz about this. He knows all about this, handled some very high-profile cases that are similar to this one. That's next.

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LEMON: Want to update some breaking news for you. It is out of Tucson, Arizona, and it is horrible. It happened this morning. Take a look at this picture. This is Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. This is the scene of where it happened, that Safeway store in Tucson, Arizona, where she was holding a meeting, a meet and greet with constituents when a gunman walked up, shot her at close range. She is in the hospital now, out of surgery. Doctors are saying it's optimistic. She's in ICU right now.

Also a judge was killed as well. The judge is John M. Roll. He's a federal judge. And he was killed in that as well -- as well as a 9- year-old child killed here.

We're learning new information now about the person they believe is responsible for this. The president has sent the FBI director there to take care of it. We saw the FBI on the ground moments ago, looking for clues as well.

Let's talk about this 22-year-old named Jared Lee Loughner. Jared Lee Loughner, that's the suspect here.

Park Dietz is a criminologist and he has handled cases and has had to deal with people who you believe, with this young man -- we don't his motivation know, Mr. Dietz, but you believe that he has some sort of psychological disorder that would lead him to do this.

DIETZ: Well, I'm a forensic psychiatrist. And the cases I see that involve either mass murder or public-figure attacks invariably involves some kind of mental disorder. And the clues on the web sites that seem to be those of Jared Loughner, give ample evidence that his thinking is not right, that he's paranoid, that he believes there are conspiracies to introduce a new currency, that his civil rights are being violated. And like the Columbine shooters, he admires Adolf Hitler's work, "Mein Kampf." People who do events like this -- and this is unique in being both a mass murderer and an assassination attempt -- have in mind correcting perceived injustice and marking their place in history. They see this as a mission that fulfills some sense of destiny. And that's the kind of viewpoint that no one else would endorse. In other words, they don't surround themselves with admirers and friends who encourage them to do this. They do this on their own because of their very distorted perception of the world.

LEMON: Listen, Mr. Dietz, alone, do you think he acted alone? Do you think he had some sort of accomplice? Too early to tell?

DIETZ: No, there won't be any accomplices here. There may emerge some fans, who are equally distorted in their perception, but this is going to be the work of a lone gunman, who has tried to let the world know of his concerns in various ways. Sadly, often, the way they notify people of what they're thinking of doing, doesn't get in the hands of, in this instance, the capital police or the Marshal Service, because they're writing what seem to be wacky communications, making threats to other people instead of the eventual target victim. It's difficult to read from these communications what they're actually up to, though everyone can see something's wrong.

LEMON: Dr. Dietz, thank you so much for joining us. Stick around because we're going to need you as we get more information on this developing story.

We'll be following it for you.

Breaking news here on CNN, rolling coverage. We're back in moments.

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