Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Astronaut's Wife, Killed

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords,40, wife of NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, was shot and killed at a public eventSaturday (Jan. 8), according to news reports.

At least 11 other people were also injured when a gunmanopened fire at a Tucson, Ariz. Safeway grocery store, CNN reported.Giffords (D - Ariz.)washolding a constituent meeting there when she was shot in the head shortly after10 a.m. MST (12 p.m. EST).

Kelly, a veteran of three space shuttle flights, isscheduled to launch on thefinalmission of space shuttle EndeavourApril 1. His brotherScottKelly, also a NASA astronaut, is currently living aboard the InternationalSpace Station as commander of the Expedition 26 mission.

The motive for the shooting is unclear.

"We're just trying to sort this out right now," sheriff'sspokesman Deputy Jason Ogansaid, according toCNN.

Giffords was first elected in2006. She holds seats on the House Science and Technology and House ArmedServices committees and has served as chairwoman of the House Space andAeronautics Subcommittee.

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• Original Story:Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Astronaut's Wife, Killed

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