A non-descript town-hall meeting hosted by a U.S. congresswoman became a national tragedy when a gunman fired a hail of bullets at a crowd on Saturday, killing six people and wounding more than a dozen.
Now, details are emerging about the alleged gunman's murky past, the victims' identities, and the heroic actions of the people who tackled the shooter to bring an end to the deadly rampage outside a busy Tucson, Ariz., supermarket.
The following is a timeline of events based on information compiled by CTV.ca from sources including authorities and wire services.
- Saturday, 9:58 a.m. local time: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' Twitter account is updated with a post reading: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."
- 10:10 a.m.: Police respond to several 911 calls about a gunman, armed with a handgun, shooting indiscriminately at people outside a Safeway grocery store. Mark Kimble, a communications staffer for Giffords, described the scene as "just complete chaos, people screaming, crying."Moments later, two people put themselves in harm's way and tackle the armed suspect, while a third person intervenes as the gunman attempts to reload his firearm. Their heroism likely prevents further casualties. Police take the suspect into custody without further incident.
- 10:15 a.m.: Several paramedic units are assigned to the shooting spree but are told to stage in the area until the gunman is arrested and the scene is secured by police. The units are given the OK to proceed to the scene minutes later and begin to treat and transport the survivors to hospital.
- Five people – identified as Dorothy Morris, 76, U.S. District Judge John Roll, 63, Phyllis Schneck, 79, Dorwin Stoddard, 76, and Giffords aide Gabriel Zimmerman, 30 – were pronounced dead at the scene. Nine-year-old Christina-Taylor Greene died in hospital. Reports soon identify Giffords, 40, as one of the critically injured, although one erroneous report identifies her as one of the dead.
- 11 a.m.: Giffords, who was shot in the head, is rushed to Tucson's University Medical Center, where she was responsive to voice commands upon arrival. Within 38 minutes, doctors begin emergency surgery to bring her breathing under control and remove pressure on her brain.
- 2 p.m.: Statements and tributes begin to pour in, including a message from U.S. President Barack Obama, who called the attack "a tragedy for our entire country." Later that afternoon, police execute a search warrant at the home of Jared Loughner, the suspected gunman, and allegedly find an envelope containing notes about an assassination plot. The evening hours are marked by several vigils and prayers for the victims.
- Sunday, 12:45 p.m.: University Medical Center reports that Giffords remains in critical condition after surgery and is still on a ventilator to breathe. In an optimistic update, doctors tell reporters she is responding to simple commands to squeeze a hand or show two fingers. Later in the day, several federal charges are laid against Loughner, who police believe acted alone. Additional charges are possible.
- Monday, 11 a.m. eastern standard time: A national moment of silence to honour the victims is scheduled.
