Gwyneth Paltrow is Rep. Giffords' Cousin

NEW YORK (CBS) Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is a cousin of injured U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, although the two have never met, according to ET.

SPECIAL SECTION: Tragedy in Tucson
PICTURES: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
PICTURES: Gwyneth Paltrow

Giffords, 40, was shot in the head when a man opened fire outside a grocery store in Arizona on Saturday. Believed to be the target of an assassination attempt that killed six people and injured 13 others, she is in critical condition at a Tucson hospital.

Paltrow released a statement to ET on the tragedy, saying, "Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting congresswoman Giffords, my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family as well as the other victims of this horrible act of senseless violence."

The 38-year-old actress is the star of the just released "Country Strong" and is scheduled to be guest host this weekend on Saturday Night Live."