Return to Transcripts main page

State of the Union

Arizona Shooting Press Conference

Aired January 09, 2011 - 13:00   ET

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

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN ANCHOR: We are standing by now for a press conference. You're looking at the Pima County Sheriff's Office. And we do expect very shortly to hear from Clarence Dupnik, who is the Pima County Sheriff, as well as the FBI Director Mueller, and also the FBI Special Agent in Charge. Fortunately I have with me, Jeanne Meserve, our Homeland Security correspondent, who is familiar with all these guys.

What do we most need to know at this point?

MESERVE: Well, we'd like to know if he's talking and why he did it, if they've been able to figure that out. I think that's one of the key questions. We still don't know what his motivation was. Secondly, have they found that second individual they wanted to talk to? The Sheriff's Office put out a photograph taken from a surveillance camera that shows this man, white man in his 40s or 50s in a blue jacket and blue jeans.

They say want to talk to this guy because he was seen in the vicinity on surveillance tape. We want to know if they found him. Have they talked to him? What have they been able to discern about him, and whether he had any involvement at all? I think we want to know what the charges are, and we want to know when there's going to be a court appearance. Those are some of the key things.

CROWLEY: He's now in federal control here; right? You see he's now their charge. And is that a distinction with no difference in terms -- I mean, most people look and say, you know, they've got -- the authorities have him, but what's the difference here?

MESERVE: You know, I wish I was a lawyer and could answer that intelligently, but I'm -- I'm not even going to try to go down that lane for you, Candy.

CROWLEY: Well, it brings at least in the federal investigators --

MESERVE: Yes, I mean you have a federal judge that was killed here, a member of Congress who was wounded. So certainly that alone would make it, you know, bump up to the federal level here.

CROWLEY: Have you noticed -- have you talked to anybody about whether, you know, there's all this, well, what about the other Congress people and what should they be doing? Sometimes after incidents like this, there are increased levels of threats to, I don't know, going into Capitol Hill or where -- maybe district offices. Have you picked up anything like that? MESERVE: No. I haven't picked up anything along those lines whatsoever? There is a steady flow. There have been threats against Gifford. There have been threats against this judge in the past. Though I should say that I talked recently to Jeff Carter, who's a spokesman for the U. S. Marshall Service. He said they're investigation indicates that Judge Roll was not a target here. They've talked to his staff; they've talked to the congresswoman's staff; they've talked to his family; they've talked to witnesses; and as far as they can tell, this was an impulse decision on his part to stop by there.

This is something that -- that the sheriff said yesterday. The Sheriff said yesterday he'd been to mass and then gone over there to say hello to somebody who he knew and who he'd been friends with. But it wasn't something that was advertised. There is probably no way that this gunman would have known that he was going to be present there.

CROWLEY: When you look at the sort of massive information that you've been taking in over the past 24 hours plus, what do you think is the most telling piece? What's the most interesting piece of information we have about the alleged shooter?

MESERVE: Well, you know, I think there's still a lot of questions about his mental state. I think we just really have to learn more about that. Of course, there are going to be privacy laws that are going to inhibit authorities from telling us everything that they've been able to uncover about him. But there's so much indication in his writings and in his brushes with the law, for drug paraphernalia, for vandalism, five run-ins with the campus police when he was at community college. He left a high school at one point for reasons which aren't entirely clear.

His writings on the Internet, I think we -- we're just really want to get a better picture of -- of his mental state and whether this had anything at all to do with politics or whether this was just a very disturbed young man. And we don't know the answer to that right now.

CROWLEY: We are told now that they are about to come to the mics here again. Let me just set the stage. This is the Pima County Sheriff's Office in Tucson, near Tucson. We expect to hear from Clarence Dupnik and indeed the FBI Director. We see both of them there.

DUPNIK: Good morning. I'm Sheriff Dupnik. I think I spoke to most of you yesterday. It's my pleasure to introduce to you today Director Mueller from the FBI. As we told you yesterday, not only our two agencies, but all state and local and federal agencies involved in this case, and there's probably a dozen or so, have not only been working hand in glove, but joined at the hip.

The investigation is still far from over, but it is progressing very, very smoothly. So at this time, I would like to introduce Director Mueller from the FBI.

MUELLER: Thank you, Sheriff, and good morning, everyone. First, let me express my condolences to the families and the friends of representative Gabrielle Giffords, Judge John Roll, and the other victims of this senseless tragedy. This was an attack not only against dedicated public servants, but against our fellow citizens, one being a child who was there to learn more about how our government works. Other members of the community who were meeting with their elected officials for the first time, or who were simply running errands on what otherwise would have been an ordinary weekend.

This was an attack on our institutions, an attack -- and an attack on our way of life. As you know, Jared Lee Loughner was subdued by brave, quick-thinking individuals at the scene. He was taken into custody by sheriff's deputies and is now in federal custody. And formal charges are expected this afternoon. Federal agents and deputy sheriffs are working around the clock to learn as much as possible, gather the facts, determine why someone would commit such a heinous act, and whether anyone else was involved.

And while we do not yet have all the answers to these questions, I can assure you that teams of professionals are working toward a single goal, and that is to piece together the facts, answer those questions, and ensure that justice is done. We are working closely with the Pima County Sheriff's Office, the U. S. Marshal Service, the U. S. Capitol Police, and others in this ongoing investigation. And given this tragedy, all logical precautions are in place to best ensure the safety of other public officials. But I will say, and will emphasize, there is no information at this time to suggest any specific threat remains.

For those of us on the ground and for all of us, the work goes on and we will continue to dedicate all necessary resources to every level of this investigation, and to do everything that we can to ensure that our elected officials and the citizens we serve are safe. And with that, I'd be happy and I'm sure the Sheriff would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

QUESTION: Director, what have you been able to find out about the --

MUELLER: -- The gentleman right here had his hand up first. Yes, sir.

QUESTION: Yes. Sam Quinones from the Los Angeles Times wanting to know about the motive, what you've been able to find out about the motive regarding the shooting by Mr. Loughner.

MUELLER: Well, as you can expect, the investigation is barely 24 hours old and it's a little bit early to speculate on those motives. My expectation is that there will be a filing in federal court this afternoon that may elaborate somewhat on that, but again it's awful early in the investigation to give some definitive action.

QUESTION: Are there any connections with any political (OFF-MIKE) --

MUELLER: Let me put it -- let me go to the next -- yes, ma'am?

QUESTION: Meagan (OFF-MIKE) ABC News, New York. Arizona's the third state in which you can carry concealed weapons without a permit. What do you think about the relative ease of which people can get weapons here in the U. S. ?

MUELLER: Well, I'm not going to comment on those particular laws. The -- in this particular case, we do have information that he purchased his weapon in November of last year and -- and we've been following up along with ATF on -- on that. Yes, sir, in the back?

QUESTION: I wanted to ask you about the possibility of someone, maybe not another shooter, but someone who may have assisted or participated directly or indirectly with the shooting (OFF-MIKE) device or something like that? And secondly, what would the formal charges be likely against Mr. Loughner?

MUELLER: Okay, as to the -- the first question with regard to accomplices, that is quite obviously something that we are -- we are closely looking at and we're pursuing all leads. We pushed out a photograph of an individual that appeared to be entering the Safeway with Mr. -- with the suspect -- with the subject, and we are hoping to identify that individual. We do not have any belief at this time that that individual was a participant in the shooting.

It is somebody we need to identify. And as I say we have put out that photograph. And the second question -- the second part of the question I should say?

QUESTION: What would be the charges (OFF-MIKE)?

MUELLER: The -- I do believe he'll be charged with the assault on the congresswoman, with the killing of Judge Roll, and the assault on the other staffers. And again, these are preliminary charges, as the investigation goes on, there may well be additional charges that will be filed.

Yes, ma'am, in the back?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) what -- he's been in custody now almost 24 hours. (OFF-MIKE)? What is the next step here?

MUELLER: I cannot get into the details of the time in custody. I will tell you the next step will be the -- the filing of a complaint, quite probably this afternoon, with formal charges and after that an initial appearance. And I'm not certain when that will -- will occur.

QUESTION: When is the initial appearance scheduled?

MUELLER: I -- I don't think that's been scheduled yet.

Yes, ma'am?

QUESTION: Has he been cooperating (OFF-MIKE) has he been talking with (OFF-MIKE)?

MUELLER: Again, I -- I cannot get into the details of the interaction with him after he was arrested by the Pima County Sheriff's officers. Yes, sir, in the back? QUESTION: Mike (OFF-MIKE) KGW TV. Have you been able to find out more about the weapon, where it came from? When he got it, that sort of information?

MUELLER: Yes, I think it was indicated that it was purchased in November of last year, 2010, and it was a -- a Glock nine millimeter.

Yes, sir?

QUESTION: Can you (OFF-MIKE) when the president called you, can you give us a little insight to what he told you, what he directed you to do here?

MUELLER: The request, direction, if you will, was to come and assure that the investigators, whether it be sheriff's deputies or the FBI, have everything they need to conduct the kind of exceptionally thorough investigation that needs be conducted here. This is a joint investigation.

The FBI and other federal agencies along with the Pima County Sheriff's Office, and we have been working closely together out of one command center since late yesterday afternoon. And his concern was that everything be done to assure that the individual or individuals are brought to justice and that no stone remains unturned to that end.

Yes, ma'am, over to here?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) Arizona Daily Star. Can I assume, since you mentioned that the charges would be filed pertaining to Gabrielle Giffords, Judge Roll, and the staffers that additional charges could be expected at the state court as to the other victims?

MUELLER: Yes, I know there are discussions between the United States Attorney and the District Attorney in terms of how you would outline these -- these charges, and I think it's -- I -- I would defer to them in terms of what charges are -- are being brought or charges that may be brought either in federal or state court down the road.

Yes, ma'am, in the back?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) News. Yesterday the sheriff mentioned something about a second person injured being 15 years old. Is that no longer the case?

MUELLER: I -- I think the facts, and correct me if I'm wrong, sheriff, but --

DUPNIK: I don't know where you heard that, but we did say there was a nine-year-old girl that had been shot and was deceased. Where the -- that information that you're talking about came from, I have no knowledge.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) a 15-year-old, that's not correct?

DUPNIK: That's not correct, no.

MUELLER: Let me go right -- yes, ma'am, right here?

QUESTION: Yes. Barbara (OFF-MIKE) Arizona News Radio. Is Loughner considered to be a prohibited possessor -- was he a prohibited possessor at the time of his crime?

MUELLER: We do not believe so.

Yes, sir, right here in the black?

QUESTION: What city was the gun purchased and was it purchased at a gun shop or a gun show?

MUELLER: It was purchased at a gun shop, and I'm not certain of the city. We can get you that information afterwards. Yes, sir?

QUESTION: Was a package apparently found at the congresswoman's office? Have you determined whether that was an explosives device, and have you determined whether there were any explosive devices in connection with the suspect?

MUELLER: The package to which you refer did not contain any explosives. It is, I think, premature to determine that it is in no way related to the circumstances relating to Congresswoman Giffords, and -- but we have that package and we will be running it through our laboratory to determine whether DNA, fingerprints, and the like and make certain it did not have anything to do with it and we're particularly determined what was the purpose of the leaving of that package there and who did it.

And -- yes, sir, right here in the red tie?

QUESTION: Yes. (OFF-MIKE)Univision Network. I would like to find out if you can tell us a little bit what you have found out about his criminal past? And also if you could discuss the images and the postings that he had had -- were posted on YouTube and his My Space account? Any fact they've given you, any indication that he would eventually do something like this?

MUELLER: Well, I can tell you with regard to the record, minimal. With regard to the postings, there have been some postings that I've seen the news media has, because they're widely shown on the Internet. And in the course of the investigation, we'll be looking at every one of those postings. Any activity he had on the Internet, any activity he had whether it be e-mail or other communications. And we'll be looking at every one of his associates to determine whether or not they continue to present a threat.

And somebody who has not asked a question. Yes, sir, in the white?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) Republic. Is there any connection that he was involved with some kind of group such as American Renaissance or any other kind of hate groups that you have any information on?

MUELLER: I have seen some allusion to that in the media, let me just put it that way. Quite clearly, that is something that we would continue to look at and focus on in the course of the investigation. Yes, sir, in the blue?

QUESTION: William (OFF-MIKE) with USA Today. Can you tell me if there is any history -- if you found any history which he had contact with the congresswoman or had attempted to contact her or --

MUELLER: Yes, I believe that we have an indication that he attended a similar event back in 2007. And the specifics of that will quite probably come out in the course of the legal proceedings.

Yes, way in the back, yes, sir?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) a tragic situation for so many people. As the director, you obviously face threats like this every day on all levels. The sheriff yesterday spoke about some of the problems with hate speech that's been going on in his mind. You -- is -- are you seeing a change nationwide? Are you -- is the agency getting more threats because of -- of speech on both sides of the political aisle that some claim is causing this?

MUELLER: I think it's premature to say to what extent -- to what -- what the motivations were of the individual on this particular case, and to necessarily draw generalizations off of that. I will say, whether it's international terrorism or domestic terrorism, the ubiquitous nature of the internet means that not only threats, but hate speech and other insightful speech is much more readily available to individuals than quite clearly it was eight or 10 or 15 years ago.

And that absolutely presents a challenge for us, particularly when it results in what would be lone wolves or lone offenders undertaking attacks.

And let me see, yes, right here in black again?

QUESTION: Did his personal computer indicate that (OFF-MIKE) websites, or politically oriented websites. And if so, what types?

MUELLER: We're still doing the analysis of the computers that were seized in the course of the source. Right back here -- yes, sir?

QUESTION: Yes, sir. Is it clear whether he went up and directly shot the congresswoman point blank, or was it he started firing randomly.

MUELLER: It is -- it appears that the target was the congresswoman.

Yes, sir?

QUESTION: I wanted to get one verification also. Does he have a lawyer (OFF-MIKE) clarification was when you talk about person of interest, he said that it doesn't appear that that person which you are trying to locate is involved in this shooting. Have you ruled out that that person had any possible involvement in like supporting or being there as a (OFF-MIKE)?

MUELLER: No. No. And I think you have it accurately. We do not believe that he fired any shots or was a shooter. We do want to identify him to determine what he may have seen or whether he had any -- a secondary or a role as an accomplice.

QUESTION: And as far as an attorney, does Mr. Loughner --

MUELLER: That I'm not certain about.

Yes, ma'am. In the back.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) --

MUELLER: I'm sorry. I could not hear --

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) --

MUELLER: As we showed in the photo that we have put out, it shows the individual in Safeway at or about or near the individual that has been detained.

Yes, ma'am?

QUESTION: Director, can you tell me -- obviously Judge Roll was a member of the judiciary here -- what the process will be to alleviate any conflict of interest issues that are publicly to arise?

MUELLER: I -- I think those are issues to be discussed down the road once charges are filed.

DUPNIK: We're -- we're going to be able to take two more questions from the director. We have other people here who can answer some of your questions. We have, for example, Congressman (OFF-MIKE) from Phoenix who attended yesterday's press conference and has come today. We have the chief of the Marshall Service, we have people from the sheriff's department, and we have people from the FBI.

Two more questions for the director.

MUELLER: Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Let me see. Somebody that -- individual in the pink back there. I don't think you've asked a question.

QUESTION: Do the members of Congress commonly have these types of events. Can you talk a little bit about the security that Gabrielle Giffords had -- has if at all, and whether or not there you believe security for future events will change because of this?

MUELLER: I can assure you that is an issue that is being discussed in the halls of Congress amongst all of the agencies as to how we can increase security against such threats as we see here. I can tell you that when we as the FBI are -- are referred complaints from a member of commerce relating to threats, we pursue them and we pursue them to the end until we're certain that the individual or individuals do not constitute a continuous threat.

And I know that capitol police, the sergeants of arms are working withcongressman and senators to both inform them of the -- the course of the investigation, but also as to what steps may be taken in the future.

QUESTION: Was there any security there with her?

MUELLER: Not that I am aware of. Let me see -- one more? Somebody who hasn't asked.

Yes, ma'am?

QUESTION: Would you characterize this as an act of political terrorism?

MUELLER: The charges are being -- that we expect to be filed today are based on the assault on the congresswoman, the killing of the staffer, and the assaults on the other staffers and the killing of Judge Roll. I am not at all going to preclude the possibility that additional charges will be brought under the domestic terrorism statutes as the -- as the investigation continues.

Thank you very much, folks.

GONZALEZ: Excuse me. I'm David Gonzalez, United States Marshal for the District of Arizona.

Yes?

QUESTION: My question is, did this individual have an extended magazine on his Glock? And if he did what kind of (OFF-MIKE) --

GONZALEZ: You know, any questions pertaining to the actual shooting I would leave to the sheriff or the FBI. My role in this and the U. S. Marshal's role in this is to -- to look at the protection of the judiciary and determine if there was any organized or plot on -- on Judge Roll or any other of the judges in Arizona or any other judges nationally.

QUESTION: Well, have you -- have you determined whether or not that's the case? And can you also talk a little bit about how he was shot, exactly? What position he was in relation to the shooter and in relation to the --

GONZALEZ: I -- I will leave that to the sheriff also.

Sheriff?

DUPNIK: I think the director addressed the question of the weapon. It was a Glock nine millimeter, model 19. But I'd like to amplify a little bit on the weapon and how it was secured and bravery of not just two people, but three people. I don't have the names of the people involved, but when the gentleman ran out of the ammunition from his first magazine, he was attempting to change magazines. A woman who we have the name of, but I don't have, went up and grabbed the magazine and tore it away from him.

While he was trying to put another magazine in, he was successful in doing that, which also had, I think, 31 -- 31 bullets in it. There would have been a huge, greater catastrophe had he been successful in doing that. Fortunately the spring in the magazine failed and the two gentlemen were able to get it away from him and subdue him until the law enforcement people arrived.

Yes, sir?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) could we -- could -- there's some confusion as to the number of casualties. Do you have a definitive number? And also, is there anybody who has a definitive pronunciation of the suspect's last name?

DUPNIK: The information that we have now is there are six deceased and a total of 20 people shot.

QUESTION: Including the six victims?

DUPNIK: Including the six victims.

QUESTION: And how do you pronounce -- is it Loughner or Lockner?

DUPNIK: Lockner.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)?

DUPNIK: I -- I don't know how he pronounces it. The Polish pronunciation is Loughner.

QUESTION: Yes. But -- well, the director just said Lockner. Anybody know?

QUESTION: Sheriff, with regard to this woman now -- so you're saying that there's a woman who comes up.

DUPNIK: First.

QUESTION: He is -- he's changing out of his spent cartridge, magazine --

DUPNIK: She grabs the magazine.

QUESTION: -- and tries to insert yet another one?

DUPNIK: He is -- is able to insert the other one --

QUESTION: Is able to insert it.

DUPNIK: -- but it doesn't fire. And they -- they were able -- two men now come, they're able to get the weapon away from him and throw it away.

QUESTION: And she was then doing what, exactly?

DUPNIK: She was -- she was also wounded when she did this.

QUESTION: But she was doing what?

DUPNIK: She was trying to get the gun away from him.

QUESTION: Sheriff, in everything that he has posted online, Loughnerhad, you know, there was indications that he was saying good- bye to friends and family and -- and writing in past tense. Any idea what his plan was out there? Was it suicide by cop? Was it he was planning on getting arrested eventually -- getting away? Any thoughts on that?

DUPNIK: Well, when the investigation is completed, we'll be in a better position to answer that question more specifically.

QUESTION: Can you please talk about the timeline -- the timeline leading up to the -- to the shooting (OFF-MIKE)?

DUPNIK: I think the shooting began at around 10: 00 a. m. , maybe 10 minutes after 10: 00.

QUESTION: So he just went from his house there?

DUPNIK: Well, we don't know how he got there at this point.

QUESTION: Sheriff, are you calling this a hate crime?

DUPNIK: I -- you could probably call most murders a hate crime.

QUESTION: What about -- what is your current view on this person of interest?

DUPNIK: We are still searching for the person of interest, but we are more satisfied in our own minds that this person may not have been involved in this incident at all.

QUESTION: So that's --

DUPNIK: But we still need to talk to him to verify that.

QUESTION: So it's a slight change from yesterday?

DUPNIK: Yes, it is.

QUESTION: OK. Thank you.

QUESTION: Sheriff, is there any documented mental health history on this gentleman?

DUPNIK: When you say "documented," exactly what is your question?

QUESTION: Has he sought help for mental health issues in the past? Has he ever been committed?

DUPNIK: I don't know the answer to those.

QUESTION: Regarding threats you were talking about yesterday, that he -- he made, were those threats to law enforcement, some of your deputies? Other -- maybe phoenix?

DUPNIK: I -- I can't answer that question at the moment. I can't answer that question.

QUESTION: Sheriff, (OFF-MIKE) expect a heightened sense of law enforcement or security around officials here in the Tucson area?

DUPNIK: I -- I think there's no question about that. And as the director had mentioned, there's going to be some meetings taking place not only about the people in Washington and how they're protected in Washington, but as most of you I think have come to the conclusion now, local law enforcement, unless there's some specific requests or specific intelligence that there may be a problem, are not even aware of the numerous appearances by elected officials that take place every day.

QUESTION: When you're talking about the threats, which I know you don't want to give details of what these other threats were, can you give us a time frame? Have they -- have these threats been in recent months?

DUPNIK: Yes.

QUESTION: And my second question, when the director talked, did he say 2007 when he said that Loughner was at a similar appearance with the congresswoman? Was that 2007 he said?

DUPNIK: That's correct.

QUESTION: Sheriff, on the -- a couple questions. Did he fire off a round of 31, because you said the second magazine had 31 bullets, so did the first magazine have 31 bullets?

DUPNIK: It did.

QUESTION: OK. And then regarding the -- the woman, can you describe her anyway?

DUPNIK: I can't, but we can maybe make that information available to you after the conference.

QUESTION: And then lastly on the -- on the -- on the person of interest, yesterday you said at the beginning of your press conference that you may believe someone else is involved. Are now you saying that Loughner was the only person involved in this?

DUPNIK: I'm -- I'm not saying either.

QUESTION: OK.

DUPNIK: We, after the press conference, and the attorneys and the officers had some collaboration about this issue, decided to release this picture as a person of interest. Based on information we have developed since, it would appear to us that the person may not have been involved at all. But we still need to verify that, and we're still actively seeking this individual.

QUESTION: Sheriff, was that 2007 event, was that here in Tucson? Do you know anything about that?

DUPNIK: What I can tell you is that there were some correspondence between Giffords' office and him about a similar event and he was invited to attend.

QUESTION: So wasn't --

QUESTION: The office invited him to attend that event?

DUPNIK: Yes.

QUESTION: And that was in seven?

DUPNIK: Two thousand and seven.

QUESTION: What was the nature of him being at the event? Was he an intern? Was he --

DUPNIK: I do not know.

QUESTION: Did the two end up communicating?

DUPNIK: I do not know.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) supposed to be under U. S. Marshall protection due to (OFF-MIKE)?

DUPNIK: Pardon?

QUESTION: Was the federal judge that was killed supposed to be under U. S. Marshal protection?

DUPNIK: Only when there are threats, if I understand that correctly.

(UNKNOWN MALE): Right. Yes.

QUESTION: Was he at that moment?

DUPNIK: Pardon?

QUESTION: Was he accompanied by U. S. Marshals at the moment?

DUPNIK: No. No. He was not. He had some issues that he wanted to discuss with the councilwoman. She was nearby where he lives. He took the opportunity to go discuss some business with her.

DUPNIK: She was nearby where he lives. He took the opportunity to go discuss some business with her.

QUESTION: This person of interest who you now view in a different way than last night, do you now know who he is or who he might be? DUPNIK: We do not. We're still actively searching and we're reasonably certain that we're going to find out.

QUESTION: Sheriff, what's your sense of Mr. Loughner?

DUPNIK: I'm not in a position to address that issue right now.

QUESTION: Can you talk a little bit about the judge and where he was in relation to all this?

DUPNIK: He was very nearby Gabrielle.

QUESTION: And this guy came in between both of them or stood outside --

DUPNIK: Well, I don't know the answer to that.

QUESTION: Can you tell us about any video surveillance tapes that you're in the process of reviewing?

DUPNIK: I'm not able to discuss that at this point.

QUESTION: You're a Democrat, and this is obviously more than just another case that came by your office. You know these people, several of them, for a long time. I've seen you at functions with Gabbie, and parties where you guys both won.

Tell us a little bit about your personal feelings.

DUPNIK: Well, it's very hard. I have -- I vacillate between extreme sadness and sorrow and shock and extreme anger.

QUESTION: Sheriff, last night you made a pretty general comment that freedom of speech does not come without consequences. Would you care to clarify that or elaborate on it?

DUPNIK: Could you ask the question again, please?

QUESTION: Last night you made a pretty general statement that freedom of speech does not come without consequences. Do you care to elaborate on that?

DUPNIK: Well, I think that when the rhetoric about hatred, about mistrust of government, about paranoia of how government operates, and to try to inflame the public on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has impact on people, especially who are unbalanced personalities to begin with.

QUESTION: Does he have an attorney, do you know?

DUPNIK: I don't know.

QUESTION: On Loughner and his criminal past, is it something that came up in background checks when he applied for -- when he bought the pistol?

DUPNIK: I do not know the answer to that question.

QUESTION: Sheriff, what are your observations about the state of Arizona gun laws in light of what happened?

DUPNIK: Well, I think we're the tombstone of the United States of America.

QUESTION: Could you explain?

QUESTION: Was that a reference to the town, sheriff, or was that rhetorical?

DUPNIK: I have never been a proponent of letting everybody in this state carry weapons under any circumstances that they want. And that's almost where we are.

The legislature at this time is proposing that students and teachers be allowed to have weapons in schools and in college. You know, colleges ought to be run by the college presidents, not the Arizona legislature. But that's the ridiculous state to where we have become.

And we have one more question.

QUESTION: Sheriff, the woman that was injured yesterday who grabbed the magazine, was she injured prior to grabbing it?

DUPNIK: Yes, she was shot.

QUESTION: Before grabbing --

DUPNIK: -- before grabbing the weapon.

QUESTION: Sheriff, talk about the gun laws. What about any change in mental health laws and treatment of mental health for some of these people as well?

DUPNIK: That's an everyday issue for the entire United States, for the entire world. We have very, very serious problems in this community.

Back in 1960, when I was a young cop on the beat, we put mentally ill people who were threats into a system that incarcerated them. Today, they're out on the street and we're paying a price for it.

Thank you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

QUESTION: Will there be any more briefings today?

DUPNIK: We'll have to address that as information becomes available. There possibly very well may be. Briefings, formally like this, not likely.

CROWLEY: OK. The last speaker at the podium was Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, wrapping up the news conference, which also earlier included the FBI director, Robert Mueller.

We want to talk this over, digest it a little with our homeland security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve.

But first I want to take us to Susan Candiotti, if she is available. There she is.

Susan, I understand you have some new information for us?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Candy, earlier today we were able to confirm the place where the suspect in this matter, Jared Lee Loughner, purchased the weapon that was allegedly used in this shooting. According to a law enforcement source, that purchase was made at Sportsman's Warehouse. That's the name of the place here in Tucson. And as a matter of fact, Director Mueller, at the news conference, indicated that the gun purchase was made back in November of last year.

Now, authorities do not know at this time where the extender was purchased. That's that 12-inch extender magazine that was loaded with another 30 clips that you heard about.

That, they said, could have been purchased anywhere. They don't know yet. They may never find out. He might have even purchased it online. But, of course, this is all part of the chain of evidence and tracing the history of the gun in order to help put their case together.

You remember that it was said at the news conference that if he had been -- you know, he unloaded most, if not all, of the bullets from the first magazine, and he was attempting to reload with another clip. If the sprung had not broken, according to authorities, of course, and if he weren't tackled by the people who took him down, then things could have been much worse -- Candy.

CROWLEY: Thanks, Susan.

Obviously our Susan Candiotti out in Tucson.

Jeanne Meserve, bringing you in now, our homeland security correspondent.

A day of incredibly bad luck, and now it seems a bit of good luck.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: And heroism here. This was quite a compelling story that the sheriff told about a woman who had been wounded approaching this guy and trying to wrestle the gun out of his hands.

She wasn't successful. He apparently was able to put a second magazine in, he said, with 31 rounds in it, and then a couple of other individuals were able to take him down. In addition, as Susan mentioned, there was apparently a malfunction with the gun.

CROWLEY: Did you hear some news in 35 minutes of the two of them. Give us some bullet points. MESERVE: Yes. I think one of the important things that FBI Director Mueller said, that there's no information to suggest any specific threat remains. That will be a relief, I'm sure, to -- perhaps to members of Congress who might have been worried about their own safety. Also, I think the fact that formal charges are going to be filed this afternoon.

He said they will be federal charges dealing with the death of the federal judge, the assault on the judge, and also the attack on the staffers. He said there was a possibility of future charges under domestic terrorism laws. In addition, there could be some other state charges.

So this guy's in a heap of trouble.

But, of course, the big question still remains, what was the motivation? Why did he do this? And the director said it's too early for us to say exactly what he was up to.

Interesting, also, when we talked about that second individual, the sheriff last night very much underlining that second individual, implying that they were most interested in finding him, backing off that today, saying, "We don't think that he had anything to do with this. We still want to find him and we still want to talk to him. "

CROWLEY: Yes, that was a huge ratchet down, right, from, we're not altogether certain he was acting alone, to today, going, well, we don't really think this guy did anything.

MESERVE : Well, even last night, from other law enforcement sources, we were immediately warned that perhaps the sheriff had spoken a little too boldly about this.

CROWLEY: Now it's just all footwork, right?

MESERVE: Yes. And there's a lot to do.

I mean, clearly, what the FBI director mentioned as one of the key parts, which is analyzing the computers that they've seized. There was a search warrant executed at the house. Presumably, they got something there.

This guy did post on the Internet, so we know he was active online. He was saying they want to analyze what sites he'd been to, who he'd been e-mailing with, who all his contacts were.

They will be running down each and every one of those leads to figure out if he was inspired by some particular individuals, if, of course, he had any colleagues in this, other people who were aware of his plans. At this point in time, we haven't come across anything in the stuff that was publicly posted that was indicated that he had made any public threats.

CROWLEY: So wrapping up two points, one is that, as far as we know, this gun -- and Susan has tracked down where it was bought -- was bought perfectly legally. MESERVE: As far as we know, yes.

CROWLEY: As far as we know in Arizona law, that was a legal purchase.

MESERVE: Yes.

CROWLEY: And second of all, the package that he referred to.

MESERVE: Yes, there were reports last night that a package had been found, they were investigating, they didn't know if it had any connection with this. I'm trying to find the exact wording that he used today, but they didn't appear overly concerned. I guess "It's premature to determine if it is related," the FBI director -- those were his words when describing that.

CROWLEY: So, we have the feds on the ground, the sheriff, the policemen. So now it's just tracking everything down one by one by one.

MESERVE: Yes. And we don't know -- he didn't comment on whether at this point this individual is cooperating with authorities, is beginning to talk. We don't know what they might have learned from the parents and other acquaintances.

So it's hard for us to really get a clear picture of where they are. But they're pressing ahead with the charges. He said he didn't know yet when the first court appearance would be and that more details will come out then, if not in another press conference.

CROWLEY: Lots of work for them, lots of work for you.

Our homeland security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve.

Thank you so much.

MESERVE: You bet.

CROWLEY: We will continue to monitor this story and bring you any developments as they happen.

We want to thank you for watching STATE OF THE UNION.

I'm Candy Crowley, in Washington.

Coming up after this break, "FAREED ZAKARIA GPS. "

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)