Giffords staff member among those killed
(CNN) - Gabe Zimmerman, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' director of community outreach, was among those killed Saturday in the Arizona shooting, Giffords' Communications Director C.J. Karamargin told CNN.
Zimmerman was in Tucson with Giffords conducting a "Congress On Your Corner" event, which is an opportunity for constituents to meet their representatives.
Zimmerman was a Tucson, Arizona, native and engaged to be married.
Colleen Kennedy, 44, who lived next door to Zimmerman and his fiance in Tucson's Orchard River Townhomes, said she heard about the shooting on the radio and remembered that Zimmerman worked for the congresswoman.
"At 11 I went over to the house. She had music on," Kennedy said. "I asked her, 'Does Gabe work for Gabi Giffords?' She said 'Yes.' Then I asked her, 'Has he called you?' She said 'No.' I said, 'You should try to call him right now.'"
Kennedy said when Zimmerman didn't answer, she suggested the fiancé call his colleagues.
"I heard her ask if Gabe was OK, but they had no details," she said.
Nancy Harris, another neighbor, described Zimmerman as "very polite" and "friendly."
"It's heartbreaking," she said. "He was just a nice young man with a nice future - newly engaged, and I'm sure looking forward to life."
Pia Carusone, Giffords' chief of staff, released a statement soon after the attack.
"An unthinkable tragedy occurred at our Congress On Your Corner event today in Tucson," she said. "Our community has lost beloved friends and colleagues, and many more are injured. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of them and to those who are suffering the loss of treasured friends and family members."
WWJD?
Make Giffords the #4 target on the "reload" list, and laugh when it is suggested that this very outcome could be the result, right Sister Sarah?
Or maybe suggest that if the election results are not what you wanted,, then resort to "2nd Amendment solutions", right Anarchist Angle?
Looks like today you both got the results you were preaching.
Do you think your actions portrayed as "walking in the footsteps of Jesus" have made Him proud today?
The constant drum beat of calls for violence from the right wing blow hards has to stop. This is the perfect example of what happens. Most normal people do not act on these right wing spewers, but people who have a mental problem like this guy in AZ and the one who was going after the Liberal Organization that Beck kept trying to get people to attack show that it only takes a little urging. I think if, these people urge violence then they should be held legally accountable for their actions. Shut em down.
Unbelievably sad. This lunatic gun man likely had other lunatic friends that supported him. It will all come out and i expect sooner than later.
My sympathy to the people who loss their lives and for those who survived these horrible and unthinkable tragedy.
Let GOD Bless their Souls, for those who lost their lives.
I hope the Government will provide some kinds protections the same tragedy not to happen again.
Pelosi should apologize to the American for her hateful life. These mass murders can be traced directly back to the filth Pelosi has spewed for the last 20 years.
Our prayers are with the Congresswoman and her Staff and the families. We must also keep our country in constant prayer.
May the Grace of God be with Rep. Gifford, Gabe Zimmerman, all involved and their families. Let us continue to keep this country in prayer as well.
"During his campaign effort to unseat Giffords in November, Republican challenger Jesse Kelly held fundraisers where he urged supporters to help remove Giffords from office by joining him to shoot a fully loaded M-16 rifle." Sarah Palin put the Bulls Eye on the target. Sharon Angle told the shooter to use "Second Amendment Remidies" if they were not satisfied with the outcome of the election. Well this young man did just that. So are Sarah and Sharon going to be charged with being an accessory to murder of a Federal Judge and attempted murder of a US Congresswoman and the attempted mudrer of some 10 additional people and the murder of 5 additional people?
What happened to Gabe is so heartbreaking. Congressional staff, both in D.C. and in their boss' districts, work so hard to be of service to their constituents. However, their work often goes largely unnoticed and unacknowledged. It is so tragic that Gabe's life ended the way it did. My prayers and deepest condolences to his fiance and family.