Jared Loughner, suspected in deadly shooting rampage and assassination attempt on U.S. congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona, that killed six and wounded another 14, may face death penalty, CBS News said Monday.
U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head as she addressed her supporters in Tucson, Arizona. Arizona police said six people were killed and 14 others were wounded in the shooting spree. U.S. District Judge John Roll, Giffords' aide and a 9-year-old girl were among those killed.
Loughner will appear in a Phoenix, Arizona, court on Monday afternoon to face five federal charges, two of which have a possible death penalty sentence, CBS News said.
CNN said investigators found a letter from Giffords in a safe at the house where Loughner lived with his parents, in which she thanked him for attending a similar 2007 event.
"Also recovered in the safe was an envelope with handwriting on the envelope stating 'I planned ahead,' and 'my assassination' and the name 'Giffords,' along with what appears to be Loughner's signature," CNN cited the affidavit.
Loughner faces attempted murder charges of a member of congress, which may carry a possible life sentence, CBS News said adding that the federal charges are independent of any murder charges, which may also carry a possible death penalty, may be brought against Loughner by the state of Arizona.
Giffords is known as a moderate centrist politician and a rising star among American lawmakers. A third-term Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, she supported the right of Americans to bear arms and criticized existing immigration laws.
The suspect, who was apprehended at the scene, has been identified as a 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner of Arizona. He used a 9-mm semi-automatic handgun in the attack.
Police said the suspect might have had an accomplice who fled the scene after the shooting started.
U.S. President Barack Obama called the shooting a "senseless and terrible act of violence" and an "unspeakable tragedy."
MOSCOW, January 10 (RIA Novosti)
