People were talking when the gunman began to fire. They were gathered outside a grocery store near Tucson, a year ago today, to talk to their congresswoman. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had invited them because she wanted to listen, because democracy is a conversation in which everyone has a say. The bullets stopped the talking.
One year ago, a gunman opened fire on that gathering, striking 19 people including the congresswoman, leaving six dead. As soon as the moment passed, sounds, words and sentences have grasped for meaning. First the cries for help, later the quiet cries of mourning. There were calls for action, assertions of blame. There was anger, too.
In the year since the shootings, the victims and their families have tried to find words to give shape to the tragedy. Talking, they hope, can heal them.
More on the first anniversary of the tragedy from the Arizona Republic:
Will Gabrielle Giffords run for political office again? - As the filing deadline approaches, questions over whether she will seek re-election take on a new sense of urgency.
- Pain over Christina-Taylor Green won't heal
- Randy Gardner only had time to react
- Murdered man's widow still trying to move on
- Staffer copes with post-traumatic stress
- Victim tries to heal physically and emotionally
- Man has words of criticism after wife killed
- Judge John Roll honored in year since death
- Viewpoints: A real look at why this happened
- Victim inspires discussion
- More on story
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