Gabrielle Giffords Confronts Her Shooter
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Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic(TUCSON, Ariz.) — Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Thursday looked in the eyes of the man who shot her and, through her husband, ex-astronaut Mark Kelly, said she is now “done thinking about you.”
She was one of several of Loughner’s victims who spoke about the day when he opened fire at one of Giffords’ street corner meetings, killing six and injuring 13.
“You may have put a bullet through her head, but you haven’t put a dent in her spirit,” Kelly told Loughner.
Kelly kept telling Loughner, “Jared, pay attention to this” during his statement.
“You tried to create for all of us a world as dark and evil as your own. But know this, and remember it always: You failed,” Kelly said.
Loughner, 24, was given seven life prison sentences without parole plus 140 years. He pleaded guilty in a deal that allowed him to avoid the possibility of a death sentence.
Before concluding, Kelly also said to Loughner, “Know this, Gabby and I are done thinking about you.”
Loughner chose not to speak at Thursday’s hearing. When asked by Judge Larry Burn if he understood he has a right to make a statement, Loughner responded “Yes, sir.”
Following the shooting, Loughner was diagnosed with schizophrenia and is under orders to forcibly receive anti-psychotic medication.
Many of the victims welcomed his decision to accept a federal plea bargain and avoid a lengthy trial. It remains unknown whether state prosecutors will try him anyway and seek the death penalty.
Loughner is currently being held at a prison medical facility in Missouri.
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