Jewish congresswoman shot in head in Arizona shooting spree

            U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and an unknown number of others were wounded Saturday when an assailant opened fire in an area where the lawmaker was meeting with constituents in Tucson, congressional officials said. These officials said one of the victims died soon after the attack, and others were taken to a nearby hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said Giffords was alive and in critical condition after the shooting. The officials said the wounded included some of Gifford's aides who were with her at the time. 18 people were reportedly shot in the attack and at least six are dead, including federal judge John Roll. One official added the attack was carried out with an automatic weapon. The officials who described the events did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not permitted to comment publicly. They said the FBI and local law enforcement were investigating the attack, which took place while Giffords was greeting constituents outside a Tucson grocery store. A shooter is reportedly in custody. U.S. President Barack Obama called the shooting "an unspeakable tragedy" and that such "a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society." Giffords, 40, was re-elected to her third term last November, edging a tea party favorite. She was a member of the Arizona House and Senate before coming to Washington. In 2006, Giffords was the first Jewish woman to be elected as a congresswoman in Arizona. (23,20)