Lawrence CannonSean Kilpatrick
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs is expressing grief and offering condolences to the victims of a deadly shooting in Arizona that targeted a Democrat lawmaker.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon wishes a speedy recovery for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who suffered a severe head injury.
Ms. Giffords was wounded during a political event outside a busy Tucson supermarket. Six people were killed, including federal judge John Roll and a nine-year-old girl, and 13 others were wounded in the melee.
The gunman, identified by people familiar with the investigation as Jared Loughner, 22, is in custody; a second man who may have played a role is being sought by police.
Mr. Cannon says Canada stands by the people of the United States, "our valued friend and neighbour," in its time of grief.
He says an attack against a democratically elected official is an attack on democracy itself.
"On behalf of the government and all Canadians, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of federal judge John Roll and the other innocent victims of this senseless act of violence," Mr. Cannon said in his statement.
"In particular, I offer sympathy to the family of the young girl among the victims, whose entire life was ahead of her."