Politicians react to shooting of Rep. Giffords

Politicians from both parties reacted with disbelief and sadness to the news of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) on Saturday.

President Obama called it an "unspeakable tragedy," and that Giffords was in "grave condition."

"We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society," he said in a statement.

"An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve," said House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in a statement. "Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. ... This is a sad day for our country."

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said he was "deeply horrified" by the news, and was talking with leaders of both parties as to whether schedule changes were needed.

"As this serious situation continues to develop, I remain in close communication with leaders of both parties, the Speaker’s office and the Sergeant at Arms. We will remain in constant communication regarding any schedule changes," he said.

"My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona," said former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on her Facebook page. "On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice."

"I feel sick to my stomach. Praying," tweeted Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

"Rep. Giffords and all victims in today's shooting are in my prayers. Those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," tweeted Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

“My family and I are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic shooting of my friend Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford and members of her staff. Gabbie is a wonderful representative who works in a bi-partisan fashion for her constituents,” said Rep. Charles Djou (R-Hawaii), who worked alongside Giffords on the House Armed Services Committee. “I will always remember Gabbie for reaching out to Republicans and Democrats alike to find solutions toward bringing down Federal spending and establishing a strong national defense. My heart goes out to Rep. Gifford’s family and the families of her staff on this tragic day.”

"Wendy and I join all other Louisianians in praying urgently and fervently for Congresswoman Giffords and those others who were shot at her town hall meeting," said Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) in a statement. "This is a horrible, despicable attack on good people and on our very democracy."

Giffords was hosting a "Congress in Your Corner" event in front of a Tucson grocery store, when a man walked up and began firing. Several members of Giffords's staff were reportedly among the wounded. The gunman is reportedly in custody.

In April, Giffords supported Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) after he had to close two offices, including one in Tucson, after he and his staff received threats following his call for a boycott of Arizona businesses in opposition to the state's controversial immigration law.

"I am deeply troubled about reports that Congressman Grijalva and members of his staff have been subjected to death threats," she said in an April 23 statement. "This is not how we, as Americans, express our political differences. "Intimidation has no place in our representative democracy. Such acts only make it more difficult for us to resolve our differences."

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) told MSNBC that "there is no way you can put a rational analysis" on the shooting. 

"To try and analyze it politically seems even further beyond the pale," he said.

—Developing...

Hill staff contributed to this report.

Updated at 3:30 pm.