Sheriff: Suspicious package at Giffords HQ

[Guest guest]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_congresswoman_shot_suspicious_package

Sheriff: Suspicious package at Giffords HQ

By AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press Lee Myers, Associated Press – 2 hrs

12 mins ago

TUCSON, Ariz. – A loud noise rattled more than 100 people attending a candle

light vigil on Saturday near the headquarters of Rep. le Giffords, where

authorities were investigating a suspicious package hours after she was wounded

in a shooting rampage in Tucson.

Police department spokesman Lt. Fabian Pacheco said an officer checking

Giffords' office had found " a real strange " device that he said resembled a

coffee can and had writing on it. Pacheco would not disclose what the writing

said. A bomb squad had been working to render the device safe before the loud

noise was heard.

Authorities did not immediately say whether the noise was caused by contents

within the package or from authorities' efforts to destroy the device and render

it safe.

" It's been a horrible and tragic day, " he said. " The prudent thing for us is to

take everything seriously. "

Earlier Saturday, Giffords was holding a forum for constituents when the

violence erupted, killing six and wounding several others, including the

Democratic congresswoman.

Pacheco said there was no threat to public safety.

At the candle light vigil held, people huddled in the cold, held candles and

read signs that said " Peace, " and " Just Pray. "

" She's just a great person, " said Margaret Robles, 64, a retired teacher's aide

who knew Gifford's grandparents. " She didn't care what color, what race, if you

could read or if you were a scholar. She treated you as an equal. "

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik gave few other details about the possible

package.

[Guest guest]

Curious how just days before "bombs" were sent to other government officials.

In a message dated 1/9/2011 12:21:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

Sheriff: Suspicious package at Giffords HQ