US congresswoman shot in Arizona event

US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head outside a grocery store in Tucson and six people have been killed in the shooting incident.

On Saturday, up to 20 continuous shots were heard at the scene of the incident, where Giffords was greeting her constituents, AP reported.

The surgeon who operated on Giffords said he was “optimistic” the Democratic Congresswoman would recover.

Six people were killed in the incident and 18 were injured.

A nine-year-old child and a senior U.S. District judge were among the dead.

Congressional officials say one of the people killed was a Giffords’ aide.

A 22-year-old man was taken into custody after being restrained by people in the crowd after the shooting.

U.S. Capitol police, who spoke on condition of anonymity, say the assailant launched the attack with an automatic weapon.

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

“This is a sad day for our country,” he added.

The FBI and local law enforcement officials are investigating the attack.

Giffords, 40, was re-elected to her third term last November. Her Tucson office had been vandalized in March, a few hours after the House approved the new health care law.

US President Barack Obama called the attack an “unspeakable tragedy,” saying in a statement that “while we are continuing to receive information, we know that some have passed away, and that Representative Giffords is gravely wounded.”