Mulvaney ‘shocked’ by shooting

Less than a week into his first term as U.S. Congressman, Mick Mulvaney participated in a joint conference call with hundreds of U.S. House members about security after the shooting of a representative.
Mulvaney was briefed Jan. 10 about heightened security following the shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords outside a Tucson, Ariz., supermarket Jan. 8.
Giffords, who is still in critical condition after being shot in the head, was one of 14 people wounded after a gunman began shooting into a crowd gathered for a constituent event called “Congress on Your Corner.” Six others were killed in the attack.
The conference call included a report from House leaders, as well as the chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, and was heard by 800 Congress members, spouses and aides, according to reports from CNN.
Mulvaney’s communications director Bryan Partridge said the goal was to educate Congressional staff about what happened in the attack and to give a status update on Giffords’ health.
“No one knew what was going on, so they updated folks on what was happening and advised them of the situation,” Partridge said.
Mulvaney denounced the shootings in a statement e-mailed to supporters and constituents.
“I am shocked by this senseless act of violence against Congresswoman Giffords, her staff and constituents,” Mulvaney said in his e-mail. “Certainly, this is a very sad day for the entire country. I pray that God will not only heal the wounds of those who were attacked, but the lasting wounds that have been opened in their families and community as well.”
U.S. Capitol Police have not issued any specific security requests for other Congress members, though more information will be released this week, Partridge said
“More than anything else, the Capitol Police urged members and their office staff to remain vigilant,” he said. “They are still trying to figure out the motives from the guy that did the attack. They’re not even sure if anyone else was involved.”
Six people were killed during the attack, including Giffords’ director of community outreach Gabe Zinmmerman, U.S. District Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl. A 22-year-old man, Jared Lee Loughner, was arrested at the scene Jan. 8.
House Speaker John Boehner asked for flags at the Capitol to be flown at half staff.
“An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve,” Boehner said. “Such acts of violence have no place in our society.”