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Congresswoman Shot in Arizona; Tucson Shooter Is In Police Custody; Giffords Is Out Of Surgery, Surgeons Are Optimistic

Aired January 08, 2011 - 18:00   ET

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

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. We're following developing news here, breaking news. Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is fighting for her life at this moment. Shot through the head this morning while meeting with constituents outside a Tucson grocery store. Six people died and 12 were wounded in the mass shooting. Giffords is now out of surgery. Doctors updated her condition just a short while ago. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. The congresswoman is not deceased.

QUESTION: Can you tell us her condition currently?

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

QUESTION: Can you tell us where she was shot? And the extent of her injuries?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She was shot in the head.

QUESTION: (OFF MIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not know that specific information at this point.

QUESTION: Can you tell us --?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can tell you that the person did die here at the hospital was a young child.

QUESTION: Do you know, was she conscious at all? Can you give us an idea of what her condition was like?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Which patient?

QUESTION: Giffords.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gabrielle Giffords, her condition was very optimistic. She was following commands.

QUESTION: (OFF MIC) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She was shot one time.

QUESTION: Where, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the head, through and through.

QUESTION: Front lobe, back lobe?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Through and through. I can't tell you right now for obviously forensic purposes whether -- what direction. She was shot through and through on one side of the head. It went through her brain.

QUESTION: When you say optimistic, are you optimistic for full recovery? Is it too early to tell?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We cannot tell what kind of recovery. But I'm about as optimistic as it can get in this situation.

QUESTION: She's currently being operated on?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Surgery has been completed.

QUESTION: What is recovery like now? Where is she?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She will go to our intensive care unit.

QUESTION: Is she in a coma? Is she conscious?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's under anesthesia right now. We don't know what it's going to be like for a while. What I'm anticipating is what a recovery is, the next 24 hours, will give me a lot more information I can portray to you and let you know about her prognosis.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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. The alleged gunman, identified as 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner is now in police custody. A 0.9 millimeter handgun has been recovered.

Federal Judge John Roll was among those killed. He was appointed to the bench by the first President Bush back in 1991. "The Washington Post" is reporting that he was given 24 hour protection for about a month back in 2009 because of death threats. Now, after he allowed a lawsuit filed by illegal immigrants to go forward against a rancher, again, that is according to "The Washington Post."

Rick Kastigar, of the Pima County Sheriff's Department tells CNN what happened beginning shortly after noon Eastern Time.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICK KASTIGAR, PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: 911 calls came in, en masse to the sheriff's department. Excuse me. And we have discovered that we have 18 individuals who were shot at a gathering that involved Representative Gabrielle Giffords. She was having a small political gathering. We have one individual in custody. We have six deceased individuals. A number of individuals including Ms. Giffords who was gravely wounded at University Medical Center here in (AUDIO GAP)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR, BREAKING NEWS: We are talking to Rick Kastigar, he is the bureau deputy, I believe, with the Pima County Sheriff's Department out there in.

KASTIGAR: That's correct.

SAVIDGE: I'm sorry. You had a little bit of a breakup. That's why I just interrupted. Go ahead, sir.

KASTIGAR: Well, that's the basic information I can provide you. We are really working at dynamic incident here, as we have a number of witness and other victims who have self-reported their injuries, have shown up at up to four different hospitals here in Tucson, Arizona. Currently there are five deceased from in front of the Safeway, and certainly we're concerned about those who have also been injured.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: That was Rick Kastigar speaking earlier with Martin Savidge here at CNN.

We are learning more about the suspect now that police have in custody. Within the last hour authorities identified him to CNN as Jared Lee Loughner. We know that he is 22 years old. He's a white male. No word on possible motive here, why he did this. Police have also recovered a .9 millimeter Glock handgun, but they haven't revealed where they found it.

Congresswoman Giffords was conducting one of her "Congress On Your Corner" sessions when the mass shooting broke out. She was representing the area where she was born. Here's some more on her background of Gabrielle Giffords. She was born in 1970 and graduated from University High in Tucson and Scripps College. She earned a Fulbright Scholarship to Mexico in 1996. She was elected as a Democrat to the Arizona house in 2001 and served in the state legislature through 2005. Then in 2006 she won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Her official Website proclaims Giffords as one of the most centrist lawmakers in Congress. Concentrated on deficit reduction and promoting business, that is according to her Web site.

Giffords' husband is astronaut Mark Kelly. He is scheduled to be the commander of the final planned mission in the American space shuttle program. Kelly's brother is also an astronaut.

President Barack Obama spoke out about the mass shooting in Tucson saying the federal government will do what it can in this multiple murder investigation. Here's the president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A number of people were shot in Tucson, Arizona, including several who were meeting at a supermarket with their Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. We are still assembling all the facts. But we know that Representative Giffords was one of the victims. She's currently at a hospital in the area and she's battling for her life. We also know that at least five people lost their lives in this tragedy.

Among them were a federal judge, John Roll, who has served America's legal system for almost 40 years; and a young girl, who was barely nine years old.

I have spoken to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, and offered the full resources of the federal government. A suspect is currently in custody, but we don't yet know what provoked this unspeakable act. A comprehensive investigation is underway, and at my direction, Director Bob Mueller is en route to Arizona to help coordinate these efforts.

I've also spoken to the Democratic and Republican leaders in the House. Gabby Giffords was a friend of mine. She's not only an extraordinary public servant, but she's also somebody who is warm and caring. She is well liked by her colleagues, and well liked by her constituents. Her husband, Mark Kelly, is a Navy captain, and one of America's valiant astronauts.

It's not surprising that today Gabby was doing what she always does, listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors. That is the essence of what our democracy is all about. That is why this is more than a tragedy for those involved. It is a tragedy for Arizona, and a tragedy for our entire country.

What Americans do at times of tragedy is to come together and support each other. So at this time I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping all the victims, and their families, including Gabby, in our thoughts and prayers. Those who have been injured we are rooting for them. And I know Gabby is as tough as they come. And I am hopeful that she's going to pull through.

Obviously, our hearts go out to the family members of those who have been slain. We are going to get to the bottom of this. And we're going to get through this. But in the meantime, I think all of us need to make sure that with we're offering our thoughts and prayers to those concerned. Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: That was the president of the United States, of course, and the new Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner, also released a statement. Here's what it says.

He says, "I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured and their families. This is a sad day for our country."

On Wednesday the new House speaker presided as Giffords was sworn in for third term from Arizona's Eighth District. She won re-election in November in a close race, over a Tea Party candidate.

Let's talk more about the Tea Party. Just got a response from them. They put out a statement just a short time ago. Here's what it says.

It says, "We at the Tea Party Express are shocked and saddened to hear about the terrible tragedy that took place in Tucson today. It is appalling that anyone would commit such unthinkable violence against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her staff, a sitting federal judge, and the many other victims and families impacted. These heinous crimes have no place in America and they are especially grievous when committed against our elected officials. Spirited debate is desirable in our country, but it only should be the clash of ideas."

So and then it goes on, more of the same sentiment. Again, that is from the Tea Party Express.

Listen, I want to go to Doug Wilson. He is joining us by phone right now. He's a Defense Department official and a close friend of Representative Giffords.

How are you doing?

DOUG WILSON, OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PENTAGON: Well, thank you, under the circumstances.

LEMON: Have you heard from the family?

WILSON: No, but there are an awful lot of us who are from Arizona who are based here in Washington, who have been trying to exchange news and keeping in touch. And we've obviously been watching you and all of the stations to keep posted.

LEMON: Yeah. What do you make of all of this, sir?

WILSON: This is a huge shock. Gabby Giffords is -- comes from a pioneering family in Tucson. She is one of the most vibrant, friendly outgoing people in the community. And regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum, you can't help but just be absolutely shocked and appalled by what has happened. And of course, a lot of us are waiting to find out the conditions of others who have been injured here. Many of her staff are friends. We don't know the updates and their conditions.

LEMON: And so waiting by the phone and hearing you guys, I'm sure, obviously shocking. When did you find out? And how?

WILSON: I was notified by my senior military assistant. I work in the office of -- I head the office of public affairs at the Pentagon. I was called earlier this afternoon and went straight to the television, and have been locked there and on the telephone ever since. LEMON: As someone who works for the Defense Department, and you have this platform now where people are watching and listening to you, do you have a message, something you want to say to the folks watching?

WILSON: Gabby Giffords is somebody who was a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform. In fact, she married one of them. A Navy captain, Mark Kelly. This is a tragedy. And all I can say is the only piece of good news so far was the report from the surgeon that he was optimistic about her recovery. And all of us are praying she's going to pull through and all of us are anxiously awaiting to find out the status of the others who were injured.

LEMON: Doug Wilson is a Defense Department official and a friend of Gabrielle Giffords. Thank you, sir.

Up next, here on CNN, our Chief Medical Correspondent Doctor Sanjay Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, himself, is going to tell us how doctors are treating representative Giffords.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. We are continuing to follow this breaking news for you. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is fighting for her life right now. After a mass shooting at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store. She's one of 18 people gunned down this morning. Six people were killed, including Federal Judge John Roll, and a nine-year-old girl.

Police do have a suspect in custody. He's identified as 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner. They've also recovered a handgun, a .9 millimeter Glock. No word yet on a motive.

Congresswoman Giffords was holding a constituent meeting at that store. She suffered a gunshot to the head and is listed in critical condition. Doctors say they are optimistic about her recovery. Witnesses talked about how the gunman shot Gabrielle Giffords at pointblank range, and yet her surgeon is optimistic she will recover after being shot in the head.

Our chief medical correspondent here at CNN, of course, is Doctor Sanjay Gupta.

You're a neurosurgeon. You know all about this. Shot that close with a .9 millimeter. What are the odds here of surviving? And for doctors to be optimistic, that's saying, that's saying a lot.

DOCTOR SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's saying a lot. They have a lot more information now. Obviously at the time someone is shot, you know, you're sort of collecting information, trying to see exactly where the bullet hit. How much penetration there was. Was this more of a glancing shot, or was it something that penetrated deep into the brain? Sometimes it can cross from one side of the brain to the other. These are all sort of important things that people collect in terms of data at the time.

LEMON: I heard you say something, and I heard during the press conference that she was obeying commands. Listening to commands. What might it be like? What might they be telling her? Move your --

GUPTA: They might say something like, raise two fingers, or something like that, to really get an idea, is she able to hear? Is she able to process that information? And then able to execute a command based on that. And obviously if she can do all those things, that's a real -- it tells you a lot if someone can follow commands, and it's one of the first things you check when someone comes out of the operating room.

They go there, she goes to the hospital, probably got a CAT scan. Goes to the operating room, has the surgery. Now everyone's sort of trying to figure out how well is she going to do? That obeying command thing is a very important and good sign in the initial aftermath.

LEMON: Walk us through this, Doctor, if you're there and treating someone who comes in with a gunshot wound like that. What's the first thing that happens when they get to the ER?

GUPTA: Well, the first thing you want to do is you do a neurological exam. You want to get some idea how significant was this injury? In some cases as you alluded to it can be catastrophic. Those cases surgery just may not help at all. If there's some idea that, look, while there's been obviously a gunshot wound, the neurological impact is something that they think is salvageable, meaning, it could go to the operating room, and actually have some sort of recovery, then the patient will go to the operating room. They'll try to remove some of the bleeding in that area, take some of the pressure off the brain. That's really important.

Then, you know, obviously get the patient to the intensive care unit as quickly as possible after that. They do this neurological exam. Even though she may have a breathing tube in, she's obviously in critical condition after an operation like this. But being able to do that neurological exam gives you a good prediction, how she's going to do sort of in the longer run.

LEMON: Depends on the severity of the injury as to how long the surgery is, correct?

GUPTA: How severe, how much of the bone, how much of the head was actually involved.

LEMON: So probably for her, I guess about four hours, because it happened around noon. Then they held a press conference about 5:00, 5:30, saying that she was out of surgery and they were going to take her to ICU. So probably about four hours.

GUPTA: That sounds about right, you know, get the patient to the hospital, they have to, obviously, do a CAT scan, they -- anesthesia is involved, getting the operating room ready. The operation may be two to three hours. That's about typical.

LEMON: That's about standard. OK, time here, getting her to the hospital, getting her to the right place, and probably to the right facility that can treat her for this type of injury. GUPTA: Speed, obviously very important. Obviously she got very, very quick care. Very important. She's relatively young. We talked about this earlier. That's going to work in her favor. The type of injury, it sounds like it was a type of injury where the bullet actually passed into the area and then passed out, in and out type of an injury, they call it.

LEMON: Because at close range the chances are it would go out. If you're shot from further away possibly it would not because of the trajectory of the bullet? The velocity.

GUPTA: Right. It's hard to say if someone ducked, for example, and you had sort of more of glancing shot. That could also cause it to sort of go in and out over a very small area, for example, of the brain. We don't know the answers to exactly what happened. My sense is, again, you don't want to read too much -- the surgeons are usually pretty guarded especially immediately after an operation to predict things. But based on the fact that she's following commands, based on the fact they came out and talked about that so early, this is as good of news as anybody could have expected in the aftermath of this.

LEMON: We're going to talk at some point tonight to someone who happens to be a friend, but is a representative in Arizona, knows the congresswoman-and is a doctor. He called me and said, to have a neurosurgeon say optimistic, that's a good sign. Because you guys, you like to -- you like to hedge a little bit. You don't want to give false hope.

GUPTA: I think most neurosurgeons especially immediately after operation are going to hold their cards close to the vest there because there are so many variables here. People say how could this happen? That someone could get shot at close range and still, you know, be following commands afterwards? It happens. I wrote a paper about this a couple of years ago. It can happen. There are so many variables that sort of dictate that. Every single patient and every single injury is going to be so different.

LEMON: What's next for her?

GUPTA: These next day or two is very important. She's going to be in the intensive care unit most likely. And doing the same thing almost every hour. Can you follow some sort of command? Hold up two fingers? Open your eyes? Move your right arm. Move your left arm.

LEMON: If you were doing it, for me, if I came in, what would you say to me if I came in? What kind of test would you do?

GUPTA: If you were in this position now, you'd likely have a breathing tube. You wouldn't be able to talk. You're not able to converse with me. I'm trying to get an idea by saying, Don, can you hold up two fingers with this hand? If you do that, that's a good sign. The left side of your body is not weak, you're actually listening to me, processing that. If I ask you to do the same thing on your right hand. Shows me what your right side is doing. Have you move your legs, your toes. Again, not reflexive activity. Sometimes people move, reflexively. This is different. This is hearing a command, understanding that command, and responding to it in some way. Whatever the command may be.

LEMON: This isn't like the doctor, the eye thing. You don't do that sort of thing. You ask them to do certain things to see if their body functions are working?

GUPTA: When they're looking in the eyes and looking specifically at the pupils. They want to make sure the pupils aren't dilated. That could be an indication there's a lot of swelling in the brain. This is really an important sign. It gives a much higher level of brain function than just reflex activity or pupil activity or anything else. This is good. This is very good sign for her.

LEMON: If she came in and they said do this, do that and she does, they're like, good stuff, get her here quickly, do the CAT scan as you say then go into surgery. Timing is important.

GUPTA: That's right. This part we're talking about after the operation. Before the operation she may have been moving around, moving both sides of her body. Maybe not following commands at that time. Now they got the pressure off the brain. They removed some of the bleeding. She's able to do some of this stuff. That's important. Keep doing that over the next day or two.

LEMON: How often do they do it? Will they go in and ask her to do it?

GUPTA: You know, my guess is it will be almost every hour, maybe more frequently than that. You know, it's a balance --

LEMON: When she comes to, right?

GUPTA: Want to make sure she's comfortable enough. Give pain medication so she's comfortable. That will make her sleepy. But then have her waking up every hour or so, to check this and make sure there's no swelling going on in her brain. That is the biggest concern at this point. You think of the brain as a fluid medium, and you've given it a big shock. It's going to start to swell. That swelling happens, you can either control that with medications, or another surgery. You have to make sure you know when it's happening.

LEMON: Doctor Sanjay Gupta, very good information. Thank you for walking us through that. We wish her the best.

GUPTA: Absolutely.

LEMON: The prognosis right now they say optimistic.

GUPTA: Right. And I'll listen in with you and we'll see what else happens.

LEMON: Thank you.

Doctor Gupta is going to stand by. He's going to be here all evening. CNN's going to be covering this as well.

We're going to take you to Washington, D.C., live with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. He's going to join us on the latest on Representative Giffords right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. Breaking news out of Tucson, Arizona: A federal judge is dead and a congresswoman critically wounded from a mass shooting this morning at a supermarket. Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a public event at a Safeway in North Tucson when a gunman targeted her. Six people were killed including a nine-year-old girl.

Suspected gunman, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner is in custody. A .9 millimeter handgun was recovered.

Now, Giffords seen here with her husband, he is astronaut Mark Kelly, had just won her third term after a close and contentious campaign. She was meeting this morning with constituents outside a busy Safeway supermarket when the shooting started.

Doctors say the congresswoman is out of surgery now and is expected to survive. We're keeping a close eye on her condition. Doctor Sanjay Gupta checking as well.

As we have been telling you here, Federal Judge John Roll was among those killed. He was appointed to the bench by the first President Bush in 1991. "The Washington Post" reports that he was given 24 hour protection, for about a month, back in 2009 because of death threats after he allowed a lawsuit filed by illegal immigrants to go forward against a rancher.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer joins us now from Washington.

Wolf, this started in Tucson, Arizona, but it has repercussions from Washington and beyond.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: You heard the president of the United States. It's not every weekend, obviously the president goes out and makes a statement like this. You could see how wrenching it was for the president. The vice president has now weighed in. All of the top leadership in Washington. The new speaker, Democrats and Republicans. It really is a shock to the entire system, to see this happening. Six people killed, 12 people injured, right now, including a congresswoman.

It is a very, very sad story. We don't know the motive. We don't know about the suspect. We don't know what possibly could have led the suspect to open fire on a crowd like this in Tucson.

But whatever the motive was, it's just the sick, sick situation and people are going to study it and make sure that first of all there are no other accomplices and if, in fact, there are accomplices or if this was a lone individual. They're also going to make sure they learn from this so it doesn't happen again. It's a wake-up call to the entire society. I dare say.

LEMON: Wolf, I want to ask you this. So many contacts in Washington. Take us behind the scenes. Take our viewers to Washington and what people are talking about. The phone calls that you have had today that others are having. The e-mails, conversations about this.

BLITZER: She's a very well liked congresswoman. She's a moderate Democrat, some would call her a blue dog Democrat, a conservative Democrat in that district in Arizona. She's by no means to the far liberal side of the Democratic Party.

She was pleasant, very cheerful, and friendly. There had been some threats she received in her office, but that's not necessarily all that unusual. Most members of Congress at some point get angry letters are from constituents. Sometimes it's even a phone call, sometimes there are actual threats and Capitol Hill police are involved and the FBI sometimes is brought in. It's one thing to get an angry threat.

It's another thing to actually see gunfire and gunshots occur as is the case this time and it's just a shocking situation. And I'm sure that everyone from the president of the United States to the vice president on down, from the new speaker, from the majority leader in the Senate, they are shocked by this.

It's going to have very severe ramifications because a lot of members, Don, a natural thing, they're going to be reluctant to go out without the kind of security that they probably will have in the aftermath of what happened in Tucson.

LEMON: When something like this as well, they should who wouldn't, who wouldn't? Even the FBI Director Robert Muller being sent there.

BLITZER: Even if they don't want to have security, their staff will say you have to have some security. Certainly their family will say before you go out into an open crowd like that, make sure you have security. Make sure you have backup.

Most of these members, 435 members of the House, 100 senators, they don't want to have to walk around with security all the time. They want to go into a mall. They want to go out to a rally. They want to --

LEMON: They want to be among the people.

BLITZER: Yes, they just want to talk to their constituents. They don't want to necessarily have the kind of security that a president or a vice president or a speaker has, but you know, it's probably going to change, at least in the short run. That's probably totally understandable.

LEMON: Hey, Wolf, thanks for taking the time to join us here. It's 6:30 Eastern on CNN. Wolf is going to pick up our coverage at 7:00 p.m. eastern. He's going to take it for a couple hours then I'll be back. There will be continuing coverage here. Wolf Blitzer, thank you. See you in about 28 minutes.

I want to go to senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash in Washington. Dana, you heard our conversation. Wolf and I talking about wake-up call. You and I have spoken about this. I just can't imagine what members of Congress are thinking right now, and feeling. DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They're feeling very, obviously, upset. Very, very upset. Very emotional and a little bit scared, some of them that we've heard on our air about the idea of going out and doing their jobs, which is what Gabby Giffords was doing.

She was doing her job. She was doing what actually had been encouraged by Rahm Emanuel when he was a member of Congress and he was in charge of electing Democrats. She came in on that wave and he had said, look, go out and go to do these Congress on your corners. Keep in touch with your constituents, which is what she did.

She was also assembling. I want to play a sound bite for you, don. It is Gabby Giffords on the floor of the House. Remember late last week members of the house read the U.S. constitution on the floor for the first time. Gabby Giffords read the first amendment. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONGRESSWOMAN GABBY GIFFORDS: The first amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for address of grievances.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: The right of the people, peaceably, to assemble. Obviously, we all learned that in school and we know especially given what we do what the first amendment says, but it's I think a little bit eerie to hear her talking about that now on the floor of the House.

And I would just tell you a little anecdote that when she and I talked in the hallway just yesterday, Don, we were just chatting. She made a point of telling me that she wanted me to know she did read the first amendment. She pointed to me and said, that's you. That's you in the press. You should be happy that I did that.

One of the note, we have been getting statements pouring in from so many of her colleagues. Republicans, Democrats, members of the leadership. I mean, everybody expressing their concern, their sadness, but also, frankly, some anger as you can imagine.

I want to read a statement, part of it from the senior senator from her home state of Arizona John McCain. He said this, whoever did this, whatever their reason, they're a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race and will deserve and receive the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law. Pretty strong there from John McCain.

LEMON: Dana, you're right. Every -- it seems like every couple seconds my e-mail light comes on, blinks with a statement from everyone from the attorney general of the United States. I read one from the Tea Party Express, Nancy Pelosi, everyone really, John Boehner. Of course, she was just sworn in, was it three days ago by John Boehner, the new speaker? Her third term. BASH: That's right. That's right. Look, she is somebody who, and you've heard this from Republicans and Democrats who have come on our air. She is well liked. She's a 40-year-old woman. She's young. She's energetic. She, you know, it's hard to pass her in the hallway without a smile on her face. But she's somebody who has had very, very, very tough political fights every time.

LEMON: You know, you're right. Everyone has said that. The interesting thing is, even Wolf who just said that before you. It appears she had no enemies and guess what, we don't know if she was targeted. She could have been part of something random because so many people were shot and injured and, of course, killed.

BASH: That's a very good point. And I should remind our viewers something we reported earlier, that the U.S. Capitol Police sent out a notice to senators, obviously she's in the House, but this is to senators, saying just that, that they have no indication at this time this event is part of a larger threat against congressional membership.

I spoke to the Senate sergeant at arms who was getting briefed on the investigation. His name is Terry Gainer. He told me it appears to be an isolated incident. Isolated to her and, again, very important to know in terms of the motivation, we just don't know yet.

LEMON: Our senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash. Thank you so much for that information.

The president spoke out just a short time ago about this tragedy and said the full force of the government was behind the investigation. He sent everyone from the FBI director there, to FBI members as well. We saw them combing for evidence in the parking lot of that Safeway Supermarket.

What else is happening at the White House? Because the president said it's not over yet. Our Ed Henry is standing by in Washington.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Unless there's some major legislation that they're wrangling over, usually the weekends have quiet in Washington, especially at the White House for the president. Not today. Senior White House correspondent Ed Henry standing by at the White House for us.

Ed, for the president to comment, this is big news and serious news.

ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It really is, Don. This was a routine Saturday. The president, first lady started the morning going to a basketball game for their daughter, Sasha and then all of a sudden it took a dramatic and ugly turn obviously.

I can tell you, White House officials at all levels really sprung in quickly to get on top of what is now a sprawling federal investigation coordinated by the FBI at the president's direction. We're told by officials here the president was officially notified about 1:20 p.m. Eastern Time by John Brennan, his Homeland Security adviser, and then he went into the White House situation room.

You could see this official White House photo. What's significant about it is the array of officials in there including on the left see you Tom Dolin, his national security adviser, but also the new White House Chief Of Staff Bill Daly right there in the center of the photo talking to the president, helping to brief the president on all this.

I can tell you. After that the president came out to the state dining room and gave some marks talking about how he personally knows Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and said, look, she's as tough as they come and she's fighting for her life right now and he asked the American people to rally around all of the victims. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Let's go out to the family members of those who have been slain. We are going to get to the bottom of this and we're going to get through this. But in the meantime, I think all of us need to make sure we're offering our thoughts and prayers to those concerned. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Now, at about 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the president also made a serious of phone calls. You can see from the second White House photo they've released here just a short time ago. It shows the president on the phone with Jan Brewer, the Arizona governor, a Republican who has sparred with this president.

She gave a news conference pointing out politics set aside by both sides here. The president in that call pledging all federal resources to the state of Arizona to get on top of this. He also called we're told congressional leaders in both parties to also brief them on the situation.

And in terms of federal resources the president personally talking to the FBI Director Robert Muller and sending him to Arizona to make sure this investigation is coordinated. Finally, one very interesting phone call the president placed was to Mark Kelly. He is the husband of the congresswoman and he is a NASA astronaut.

We're told by White House officials he could not reach him, that the president had to leave a message because her husband obviously was in flight trying to get to Arizona to be at her side, Don.

LEMON: All right. Thank you very much. Our senior White House correspondent Ed Henry. Really appreciate you coming in on a Saturday night. Obviously very important stuff. Ed Henry, thanks again.

Next stop, Arizona State Representative Matt Heinz, a friend of the congresswoman and a doctor, himself. He went to the hospital today. What did he see? What did he hear?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: We're continuing to follow this breaking news for you here on CNN. A shocking attack at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store. Six people dead, 12 others wounded including Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who was shot in the head.

She's now listed in critical condition, but her doctor is optimistic about her recovery. Congresswoman Giffords was holding a constituent meeting at the store when the shooting happened among the dead, Federal Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl.

Police do have a suspect in custody right now. He's identified as 22- year-old Jared Lee Loughner. They've also recovered a handgun, a .9 millimeter glock, no word on any possible motive yet.

A federal law enforcement official said the shootings appear to have no nexus to terrorism. Again, the quote is no nexus to terrorism. This official did not know if there had been any recent threat against Representative Giffords, however.

Joining me now is Matt Heinz, he's an Arizona state representative and a friend of Representative Giffords as well. You were at the hospital. Are you still there, Matt?

DR. MATT HEINZ, ARIZONA STATE HOUSE (via telephone): I am, Don.

LEMON: Tell us who you spoke to and what you're seeing there.

HEINZ: You know, I along with all of Tucson and my state are all thinking and praying for Gabby right now. And there are a lot of close friends and, of course, her family here and we're hoping and we're praying.

LEMON: Matt is also a doctor. We had Matt on -- on CNN here to talk about the health care vote. You're a doctor, you're a representative and again, a friend of the congresswoman. What have your conversations been like with her family and friends there at the hospital?

HEINZ: I have been speaking only to friends here at the hospital, and everyone is, you know, completely shocked, and, by the tragedy. And we're all just pulling together and are thoughts, again, are with the congresswoman and her family.

The next 24 hours, of course, with any injury like this, as you know, are essential and crucial, and I know all of us were very, very pleased to hear the words of her surgeon, given his optimism for her recovery. I think that gives me great hope.

LEMON: Right when this happened, Matt, you and I spoke by telephone, and you said you'd got a phone call from a friend telling and you were stunned. We could barely have a conversation. You said that you two are friends and you help each other politically. You have a history together.

HEINZ: I've known the congresswoman for more than five years and she is just a phenomenal human and an excellent representative. Doing exactly what she always does, meeting with her people, her constituents. Very early in my political career, she was a supporter and a friend and very encouraging. Just a wonderful, loving human and it's tragic that this would happen to her and you know -- not much else to say.

LEMON: Well, Matt, we don't know if she was targeted or if this was random because so many were affected by this. Anything you want to say about the political process or about the person responsible?

HEINZ: I think it's important right now for everyone to pull together and to be civil and you know, hug someone you like and maybe hug someone you don't like. Because I think that's really important that we keep things calm, collected and just focused and try to keep our discussions civil.

LEMON: Yes, Arizona State Representative Matt Heinz, he is a doctor as well and a friend of the congresswoman. He's at the hospital now speaking to friends and checking on her, how she's doing. Do you work out of this hospital ever, Doctor?

HEINZ: No, I was trained at this hospital. I work at a different hospital in Tucson.

LEMON: OK, thank you very much, Matt Heinz. Best of luck, OK.

Next up, the Honorable Judge Rebecca White Berch, the chief justice of Arizona Supreme Court and friend of Judge Roll coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Breaking news here on CNN. Pardon me, I'm pulling something off the printer here some new information coming in. Breaking news that we're covering, the shootings in Arizona that left so many dead. A congresswoman is in critical condition right now.

As a matter of fact, we want to speak to someone who knows her. The Honorable Judge Rebecca White Berch, she's a chief justice of Arizona Supreme Court and she's a friend of Judge Roll. She's a friend of Judge Roll. Tell us about Judge Roll and do you think that he may have been targeted for some reason?

JUDGE REBECCA WHITE BERCH, CHIEF JUSTICE, ARIZONA SUPREME COURT (via telephone): Well, let me first tell you about Judge Roll. He was well loved in the Arizona legal community. He was one of those judges who was always just thoughtful and wise and patient and kind so that's a little bit about Judge Roll.

As far as I know, we can't tell whether he was targeted. This seems to have been an event that took place at an event that Congresswoman Giffords was holding and we don't know if anyone would have known he would have been in the area. We'll leave it for those who investigate to find out if he was targeted, but at the moment, I don't see anything that points to that.

LEMON: He had protection from U.S. marshals about a year or so ago because of a lawsuit involving illegal immigrants. It was a huge multi-million dollar immigration suit so he had protection for a while. It's not out of the realm of possibilities, but we simply don't know yet.

BERCH: It is not out of the realm of possibility as you mentioned. Just a year ago, Judge Roll received several threats in connection with cases that he was handling, but you know, he was the kind of guy that never really talked about the threats he was receiving and the protection it was necessary for him to have.

LEMON: Thank you very much. The honarable Judge Rebecca White Berch, we appreciate it.

BERCH: Thank you.

LEMON: Our coverage of the mass shooting in Arizona continues, next.

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LEMON: I'm Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. Wolf Blitzer in Washington picks up coverage from here. Wolf --