Politics | Gabrielle Giffords Surgeon 'Optimistic' Gabrielle Giffords Will Live Federal judge, 9-year-old boy among those killed By John Johnson Posted Jan 8, 2011 4:37 PM CST Copied In this Nov. 2, 2006 file photo, Democratic candidate for the Arizona 8th Congressional District Gabrielle Giffords waves to the crowd during a rally at Reid Park in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Miller, File) Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is out of surgery after being shot while hosting a public event today, and a Tucson surgeon said he was "very optimistic" she would survive but that it was too early to know more. The surgeon said Giffords had been shot in the head "through and through." At least five people have been confirmed dead, including a 9-year-old child and federal judge John Roll, reports AP. The gunman in custody has been identified as Jared Loughner, 22, but little is known about his motive. Click for more on the shooting, and for more details on Giffords' personal life. Read These Next Scientists have discovered a huge added bonus of COVID vaccines. He took rocks he wasn't supposed to, then tragedy struck. Next year's COLA increase is up slightly from 2025. Author Michael Wolff has sued the first lady. Report an error