Minn. lawmakers call colleague's shooting tragic

by Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio

Minneapolis — Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation say their thoughts and prayers are with an Arizona congresswoman and others who were shot during a visit with constituents.

The shooting Saturday killed five people, including a federal judge and a 9-year-old. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, and a hospital says the Democrat's outlook is "optimistic."

Rep. Tim Walz called the attack "an unthinkable tragedy for our nation." Rep. Michele Bachmann called for the suspected shooter to be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Rep. Betty McCollum called the shooting a "monstrous" act of violence. McCollum described Giffords as a person of "great integrity and great inner strength." She said the "incident will not change the way we do our jobs."

Sen. Al Franken said Saturday's events should be "a warning to temper down the rhetoric" when it comes to political debate.

Rep. Erik Paulsen said he is particularly saddened by the shooting, as he's been friends with Giffords for more than five years. They met while the two were enrolled in a fellowship program.

However, Paulsen said the shooting has not made him any more concerned for his safety.

"No, it's nothing that I've really thought about. Certainly in my district. It's part of our job to be accessible to the public," he said.

Paulsen said he has a series of public events scheduled before he returns to Washington DC this week, and he will not seek extra security.

A spokesman for Sen. Amy Klobuchar says the senator will keep a schedule of events in northern Minnesota later this week. However, a representative from Franken's office says Franken is considering altering his schedule in the wake of the shooting.

(The Associated Press and MPR photographer Nikki Tundel contributed to this report)