Suspect in Pelosi Attack Was in the US Illegally, Officials Say
The California congressman, who had not responded publicly to the shooting, was treated for a minor injury in the hospital but refused treatment.
The attack on Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords was carried out by a deranged man who walked into the congresswoman’s office wielding a pair of shears with a piece of paper pinned to them.
Andrea Tantaros, a spokeswoman for Giffords’ district, said that the suspect had gone unnoticed by security cameras at the office but had taken down information from an employee as he tried to get into the building.
Tantaros said the man first tried to force his way through the door and then cut the security cord to the office lights.
The wounded congresswoman was taken to the hospital for treatment of her wounds. She refused surgery for fear of jeopardizing her chances of running for president.
The attack had prompted speculation about whether the assault had been an attack on Giffords.
The gunman, a 22-year-old suspect who was later identified by authorities as Jared Lee Loughner, had been arrested at a hospital in nearby Tucson for a psychiatric evaluation after the incident.
Giffords is in Tucson for surgery on Jan. 8 and plans to return to Washington in an effort to get back to work.
President Obama offered his condolences on Friday.
“The president and I offer our condolences to the wife and daughters of Representative Gabby Giffords. They’ve had this morning’s tragic events in their home district — it’s heartbreaking,” he said on Saturday.
The White House said that Obama would travel to Tucson on Monday to meet with relatives and to confer with local officials.
The president spoke with his daughters Malia and Sasha on the telephone when they learned of the shooting.
“They were just as shocked as the rest of us,” the president said.
Rep. Giffords’ office said in a statement that she would be speaking with members of Congress in Arizona on Saturday.
“She will be in close
