First, let me express my condolences to the families and friends of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Judge John Roll, and the other victims of this senseless tragedy.

This was an attack not only against dedicated public servants, but against our fellow citizens…one being a child who was there to learn more about how our government works…and other members of the community who were meeting with their elected officials for the first time, or who were simply running errands on what otherwise would have been an ordinary weekend. This was an attack on our institutions and our way of life.

As you know, Jared Lee Loughner was subdued by brave, quick-thinking individuals at the scene. He was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies and is now in federal custody. Formal charges are expected this afternoon.

Federal agents and deputy sheriffs are working around the clock to learn as much as possible, gather the facts, and determine why someone would commit such a heinous act and whether anyone else was involved.

While we do not yet have all of the answers to the questions, I can assure you that teams of professionals are working toward a single goal: to piece together the facts, answer those questions, and ensure justice is served.

We are working closely with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the U.S. Capitol Police, and others in this ongoing investigation.

Given this tragedy, all logical precautions are in place to best ensure the safety of other public officials—but there is no information at this time to suggest any specific threat remains.

For those on the ground and for all of us, the work goes on, and we will continue to dedicate all necessary resources at every level to this investigation—to do everything we can to ensure that our elected officials and the citizens we serve are safe.

Federal Complaint Filed Against Jared Lee Loughner

WASHINGTON—The United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Dennis K. Burke, announced today that his office filed a federal complaint against Jared Lee Loughner. The complaint was signed by Magistrate Judge Michelle Burns in Phoenix.

Loughner is suspected of shooting U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Chief Judge John Roll, Giffords’ staff member Gabriel Zimmerman, and approximately 16 others Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

The federal complaint alleges five counts against Loughner:

Count 1

On or about Jan. 8, 2011, at or near Tucson, in the District of Arizona, the defendant, Jared Lee Loughner, did attempt to kill Gabrielle Giffords, a Member of Congress; in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 351(c).

Count 2

On or about Jan. 8, 2011, at or near Tucson, in the District of Arizona, the defendant, Jared Lee Loughner, did unlawfully kill Gabriel Zimmerman, an employee of the United States who was engaged in performance of official duties and who was assisting Member of Congress Gabrielle Giffords while she was engaged in performance of official duties; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1114 and 1111.

Count 3

On or about Jan. 8, 2011, at or near Tucson, in the District of Arizona, the defendant, Jared Lee Loughner, did unlawfully kill John M. Roll, a U. S. District Court Judge for the District of Arizona, an employee of the United States who was engaged in performance of official duties; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1114 and 1111.

Count 4

On or about Jan. 8, 2011, at or near Tucson, in the District of Arizona, the defendant, Jared Lee Loughner, did, with intent to kill, attempt to kill Pamela Simon, an employee of the United States who was engaged in performance of official duties and who was assisting Member of Congress Gabrielle Giffords while she was engaged in performance of official duties; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1114 and 1113.

Count 5

On or about Jan. 8, 2011, at or near Tucson, in the District of Arizona, the defendant, Jared Lee Loughner, did, with intent to kill, attempt to kill Ron Barber, an employee of the United States who was engaged in performance of official duties and who was assisting Member of Congress Gabrielle Giffords while she was engaged in performance of official duties; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1114 and 1113.

Loughner will make an initial appearance on the complaint at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Anderson at the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse in Phoenix in courtroom 302. He is entitled to a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing. The court will set a date for both hearings. Loughner remains in federal custody.

The Rules of Criminal Procedure require that a grand jury review the evidence and issue an indictment within 30 days of the defendant’s initial appearance.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is in the process of drafting an indictment against Loughner for presentation to the grand jury.