US lawmaker gravely injured in shooting; 6 dead

A gunman opened fire at a public event in Tucson, Arizona, killing six people and injuring congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. -- PHOTO: AP

PHOENIX - A US congresswoman was in critical condition after being shot in the head on Saturday by a gunman who opened fire at a public event in Tucson, Arizona, killing six people, authorities said.

Initial media reports had suggested that Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords had died following the shooting at a Safeway grocery store, in which a federal US judge was also shot.

Ms Giffords was hosting a 'Congress on Your Corner' event with constituents at a shopping center when the gunman attacked, killing six and wounding 12, according to police spokesman Rick Kastigar.

Witnesses said the lawmaker was shot at point-blank range in the shooting, for which no motive was immediately known.

National Public Radio said the suspect ran off and was tackled by a bystander before being taken into custody, and that witnesses described him as being in his late teens or early 20s.

The incident came after packages ignited in a post office in Washington, DC on Friday and two government buildings in neighboring Maryland on Thursday. -- AFP