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Rep. Giffords shot

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Terror in Tucson: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is rushed from the scene after a gunman shot her in the head and killed six others during a public event at a grocery store.

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Giffords, a Democrat, was shot in the head and is clinging to life but doctors are "optimistic." She recently beat a Tea Party to win a third term. Here, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio reenacts her swearing in Jan. 5 in Washington.

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Emergency personnel swarmed to the scene of the shooting, but it was too late.

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Alleged gunman Jared L. Loughner, seen in this 2010 photo, opened fire at random after gunning down Giffords. He left bizarre videos on YouTube where he talked about being "watched" by the government and creating his own form of currency.

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Also killed was 9-year-old Christina Green, who was visiting the Tucson event because she had recently become involved in student goverment at her school and wanted to learn about politics.

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A medical helicopter evacuates victims. At least 18 people were shot, and six were killed.

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Stunned: A man sits near the scene of the shooting spree.

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A Pima County Sheriff's deputy speaks with a witness. The event was packed with people and the gunman apparently fired at random after shoting Giffords.

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A Pima County Sheriff deputy blocks the entrance of a Safeway Sunday, in Tucson, Ariz. where U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot a day prior.

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Law enforcement personnel work the crime scene near a sign announcing Giffords' first "Congress on Your Corner" event. Pesident Barack Obama said later, "It's not surprising that Gabby was doing what she always does, listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors."

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University Medical Center surgeon Dr. Peter Rhee said he's "as optimistic as it gets in these situations" about Giffords' chances of recovery.

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Bethany Woll, left, and Tracy Roberts pay their respects near the offices of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords during a candlelight vigil in Tucson.

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Flowers and candles are seen placed outside the office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after Giffords was shot in the head in Tucson, Ariz.

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Giffords came under fire from Sarah Palin and the right for her support of the Obama health-care bill, and is pro-immigration reform. But she has also focused on military issues, which is a major employer in her district.

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Giffords is married to astronaut Mark Kelly, a space shuttle commander. The couple, who met in China in 2003, were married in 2007 in Amado, Arizona.

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Amanda McCarley,16, lights a candle as people gather at Giffords' office in Tucson, Ariz.

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Meanwhile, in the nation's Capitol a woman places flowers near Giffords' office.