US News

Giffords to attend Florida space shuttle launch commanded by husband

TUCSON, Ariz. — US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), gravely wounded in a shooting in Tucson last January, plans to attend the April 29 launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour, which will be commanded by her husband, the congresswoman’s office announced Friday.

In a statement, her office said doctors at Houston’s TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she is recovering, would have the final say on whether Giffords could attend the launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Her husband, Capt. Mark Kelly, will be in command of the spacecraft, although the launch could be delayed if there is a government shutdown.

The statement said the dates for Giffords’ travel had not yet been determined and she would not meet with media or issue a statement while in Florida.

Giffords was shot in the head outside a Tucson shopping center Jan. 8 in an onslaught that left six dead and 13 others, including the congresswoman, injured.

Alleged gunman Jared Lee Loughner has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges, including murder and attempted assassination.