Tragedy struck for Tucson and our nation yesterday when a hateful and insane man decided to open fire on a public event hosted by US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords outside a Safeway grocery store. At least 6 people were killed including a 9-year-old little girl. Rep. Giffords was shot in the head. This was an utterly senseless and disturbing act of violence. I covered the events unfolding in Tucson for Getty Images yesterday. The spontaneous outpouring of support from the public was a beautiful thing to witness. People began to gather around the city to hold vigils and to express their desire for peace.
As a photojournalist I was working the scene and looking for pictures, it was not until I got home on Saturday night that I really had time to stop and think about the disturbing events that had transpired. I keep thinking about the doctor at one of the hospital press conferences talking about the bullet going “through and through” Rep. Giffords’ brain. What can cause so much hate in a person that they are able to inflict such pain and suffering? As a journalist I covered the events as best I could, as a new mother I mourn for the pointless death of a child and as a citizen I am horrified that this could happen in our country.
3 comments