US congresswoman in critical condition after shooting

US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is in a critical condition after being shot in the head today while meeting with constituents in Arizona, a hospital spokeswoman has said.

Officials said up to 12 people were injured in the attack in Tucson, including members of the Democratic congresswoman’s staff.

One of the victims died soon after the attack, and others were taken to a nearby hospital.

The officials added that the FBI and local law enforcement were investigating the attack, which took place while Ms Giffords was greeting constituents outside a grocery store.

Commenting on the attack, newly elected House Speaker John Boehner said: “I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff.

“An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country.”

The shooting came amid a highly charged political environment that has seen several dangerous threats against politicians but nothing that reached the point of actual violence.

A San Francisco man upset with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s support of healthcare reform pleaded guilty to threatening the Democratic congresswoman and her family, calling her directly on March 25 and threatening to destroy her northern California home if she voted for the reform.

In July, a California man known for his anger over left-leaning politics engaged in a shoot-out with highway patrol officers after planning an attack on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and another non-profit group.

The man said he wanted to “start a revolution” by killing people at the ACLU and the Tides Foundation.

Ms Giffords, a moderate Democrat, has herself drawn the ire of the right, especially for her support of the healthcare Bill.

Her Tucson office was vandalised a few hours after the House vote to approve the healthcare law in March, with someone either kicking or shooting out a glass door and window.