Local Politicians React To Giffords Shooting
BOSTON (CBS) – Hours after Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and critically wounded at an event in Tuscon on Saturday, some members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation sent along their prayers for her recovery.
News of the shooting spread quickly among political leaders in the Bay State, and they are hoping that somehow this tragedy could be turned into something positive.
Rep. Michael Capuano says he knows Giffords well and spoke to her while both of them were in Washington on Thursday.
"She's well-liked. She's well-respected. Everyone thinks that she's a nice person. She's well-informed, tough on the issues she's interested in, and a great advocate for her constituents. She's been in tough elections. She knows what it means to get elected and how to service her people, and it's even more difficult that she gets shot in a situation where she was reaching out to people," said Rep. Capuano.
WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports.
Former New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter served with Giffords on the Armed Services Committee. Porter said she is very close friends with Giffords and calls the shooting a tragedy.
"I'm devastated. Everybody likes Gabs. She's the kind of person that is...she's warm. She's easy to talk to. She's a good listener. We came in together four years ago. I went to her wedding shower and spent many hours sitting, talking about various issues," said Rep. Shea-Porter.
Rep. John Tierney released a statement about the shooting:
"This is a terrible personal tragedy and our hearts ache for Gabbie, her family, and her staff. Gabbie is a good person, and a smart and honorable member of Congress as well."
Giffords was listed in critical condition after surgery, according to hospital officials.
