Related Federal Cases
Tucson Shooter Sentenced to Life
In a somber turn of events, 23-year-old Jared Lee Loughner has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the January 8, 2011 shooting outside a Tucson supermarket. The deadly rampage, which took the lives of six people and wounded 13 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, has left a lasting impact on the community.
According to the plea agreement, Loughner showed up at Giffords’ ‘Congress on Your Corner’ event outside the Safeway grocery store armed with a loaded semi-automatic pistol and carrying three additional magazines containing 60 rounds of ammunition. His intent was to kill the congresswoman and others attending the community event.
Shortly after arriving at the event, Loughner shot Giffords in the head and then targeted several other people in attendance. The shooting resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including federal employees U.S. District Court Chief Judge John M. Roll and Congressional Aide Gabriel M. Zimmerman, as well as participants at the event, Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy J. Morris, Phyllis C. Schneck, and Dorwan C. Stoddard.
Loughner also injured 13 people, including federal employees and Congressional Aides Ronald S. Barber and Pamela K. Simon, through the use of a Glock pistol. The victims who were injured include Bill D. Badger, Kenneth W. Dorushka, James E. Fuller, Randy W. Gardner, Susan A. Hileman, George S. Morris, Mary C. Reed, Mavanell Stoddard, James L. Tucker, and Kenneth L. Veeder, Sr.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Loughner will be sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole. This decision was made in consideration of the views of the victims and survivor families, the recommendations of the prosecutors assigned to the case, and the applicable law.
Attorney General Eric Holder expressed hope that this decision would allow the Tucson community, and the nation, to continue the healing process free of what would likely be extended trial and pre-trial proceedings that would not have a certain outcome. U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo stated, ‘Given the defendant’s history of significant mental illness, this plea agreement, which requires the defendant to spend the remainder of his natural life in prison, with no possibility of parole, is a just and appropriate resolution of this case.’
The FBI’s Phoenix Division, led by Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal Jr., praised the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for their tireless efforts in the joint investigation.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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