Report: Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, six others shot

Third term Arizona Congresswoman Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has been shot and reportedly died from her wounds at a bizarre shooting outside a Safeway at a community event in Tuscon. Six others were reportedly fatally wounded, bringing the number of casualties to seven.

Eerily, Rep. Giffords was one of several lawmakers Sarah Palin encouraged followers to “target” after the passage of health care reform legislation:

Giffords was also one of the lawmakers Sarah Palin “set her sights on” in the Palin PAC infographic below (takebackthe20.com). The congresswoman and others are targeted with simulated gun sights on a map of the United States.

Several sources, including the New York Times, have reported that Rep. Giffords has died of her injuries at an area hospital. Television sources, including MSNBC, have not confirmed that the congresswoman has died and are reporting that she is “in surgery.” NPR reports that the shooter has been apprehended, and that he is an unidentified man in his 20s. Motive for the shooting has not been disclosed by authorities.

UPDATE: Rep. Giffords did survive the shooting, and is expected to recover.