There are no words to express the heartfelt sympathy and empathy Tucsonans and others are feeling about the mass “rampage” on January 8, 2011 at the NW Safeway, where 6 innocent citizens were killed and 13 others wounded by gunman Jared Lee Loughner. Many of the wounded were taken to University Medical Center (UMC), 1501 N. Campbell (between Speedway and Elm Streets). Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords representing the 8th Congressional District was shot once in the head and has been at UMC since then in critical, then serious condition.

The memorial to the victims in front of University Medical Center has been growing since that day, with hundreds of flowers, candles, messages, stuffed animals, statues, flags, balloons, etc. etc. I’ve been to this memorial several times, helping to light candles and sharing the grief with the Tucson community. Especially heartening have been the lovely messages sent from school children praying for Gabby and the other survivors to get well.

Here are photos I took on January 21, 2011 almost 2 weeks after the shooting, and the day that CD 8 Congresswoman Giffords was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston, Texas. Let’s continue to pray for her full recovery.

I’ve also posted some photos of the memorial at Congresswoman Giffords’ Tucson district office (click here), and the one at the Safeway supermarket on Oracle/Ina Road (click here).

On Sunday January 16 I participated in the “Walk for Peace” from Columbus Park (E. Glenn and Columbus Ave.) to Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords’ Tucson district office at 1661 N. Swan Road (SW corner of Pima Street). Several hundred people participated in the 4 mile walk, in memory of the 6 victims murdered on January 8, 2011, as well as to wish Gabby and the other 12 wounded full & speedy recoveries. 3 of her aides were also shot, one fatally (Gabe Zimmerman, whom I worked with in the past on her 2006 campaign). The other two wounded aides (Ron Barber and Pam Simon) were released from University Medical Center (UMC) last week.

Here’s the photos I took today with the Panasonic Lumix camera I won at our Tucsoncitizen.com holiday/blogger appreciation party on December 4, 2010.

At this particular office memorial site there are lots and lots of flowers & candles, cards, messages, photos, balloons, peace signs, as well as potted plants, flags, stuffed animals, statues, vases, wreaths, beads/necklaces, ornaments, caps, even fruits — all left in loving memory of the victims and as get well wishes for the wounded. Stop by sometime and share a somber moment at this peaceful, touching memorial.

Congresswoman Giffords is listed in “serious” condition at UMC, and is scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston, Texas on Friday, where her NASA astronaut husband Mark Kelly lives and works.

UPDATE: For photos of the memorial at the Safeway on Oracle/Ina, click here. And for photos of the memorial at UMC, click here.