Federal investigators found evidence suggesting that 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner went to a Tucson Safeway on Saturday with the intent of assassinating Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).
In an affidavit released Sunday, federal investigators said they discovered a handwritten note inside a safe in Loughner’s Tucson home. According to the document, the words “I planned ahead,” “my assassination” and “Giffords” were written on an envelope, along with Loughner’s signature.
Giffords was shot once in the head when a gunman opened fire on a constituent event she was holding outside the grocery store. She is in critical condition at a Tucson hospital. Six people were killed in the attack: U.S. District Judge John Roll; Gabe Zimmerman, a 30-year-old Giffords aide who was recently engaged; Christina Taylor Green, a 9-year-old girl who had just been elected to her school’s student council; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwin Stoddard, 76; and Phyllis Scheck, 79.
Loughner was arrested at the scene. He is expected to appear before a judge in Arizona on Monday afternoon.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
