First, let me express my sympathy for
the atrocity that occurred on January 8, 2011 and the terrible effect it had on
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the other injured victims; and my sincere
condolences for the families and friends of The Honorable Judge John Roll,
Congressional Aide Gabriel Zimmerman, Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris,
Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and the other victims of this horrific and
senseless tragedy.
As FBI Director Mueller indicated, this
was an attack not only against dedicated public servants, but against our
fellow citizens—one being a child who was excited just to learn more about how
our government works at the Congress on Your Corner event—and other members of
the community who were meeting with their elected officials for the first time
or who were simply running errands on a Saturday. This was an attack on our
democratic institutions, the sacrifices our public servants endure every day to
make this country a better place to live, and our way of life.
Today, we remember the victims and their
families forever affected by the violent acts that occurred on that day, as
well as those in the Tucson community who were greatly affected by this
senseless tragedy.
Today, justice was done. With the change
of his plea, Jared Loughner will now spend the remainder of his life in prison
and will never be able to harm the Tucson community or any community ever
again.
I would like to thank Sheriff Clarence
Dupnik and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Judge Leonardo and the United
States Attorney’s Office, United States Marshal David Gonzales, and all my
partners of the other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who
dedicated their resources and support and for their tireless efforts in
assisting the FBI in this investigation.
The FBI Phoenix Division dedicated every
available resource to this case to include over 200 Phoenix personnel, the
Critical Incident Response Group, the FBI Laboratory for reconstructing the
crime scene, the FBI Phoenix Computer Forensic and Evidence Response Teams, and
the FBI’s Victim Specialists.
I would like to specifically recognize
Special Agents Tony Taylor and Alan Misiaszek—co-case agents on this
investigation—Retired Supervisory Special Agent Robin Andrews, Assistant
Special Agent in Charge Annette Bartlett, and Former Special Agent in Charge
Nate Gray for their dedication during the hours, weeks, and months following
this horrific crime and their leadership in piecing together this investigation
and making certain that every person was interviewed, every question was asked
and answered, and the investigation was complete.
The events of January 8 affected all of
us—not only the citizens of Arizona, but touched the nation as a whole. We
stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the victims and their families and we hope that
today’s plea agreement and ultimate resolution of this case will assist in the
continuation of the healing process for our community, bring honor to those who
have fallen, and help all of us who live in this community to never forget, but
to move forward.
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