[Don Lemon, Cnn Anchor, Cnn Newsroom:] Welcome back, everyone to our live coverage of this tragedy. We want to get you now to Arizona where the Governor Jan Brewer is stepping up to the mic. Here she is.
[Gov. Jan Brewer,  Arizona:] Good afternoon. All of Arizona is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy that transpired this morning in Tucson. I have been in contact throughout the morning with law enforcement officials, as well as Mayor Walkup, and just a short while ago with the president of the United States. The president conveyed his heartfelt sympathies for our state and shared determination to ensure that justice is fully served. I am just heart broken. Gabby is more than just a colleague, she's actually a friend. She's always been a noble public servant, and my thoughts and my prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family, the congresswoman's staff and their families as well as other victims of this senseless and cruel violence. I've ordered the flags to be flown at half staff in honor of those who have lost their lives today. It's an unbelievable tragedy that the people of Arizona experienced today. One of which, of course, in our worst nightmares we would never could have imagined would have taken place. I must tell you that a lot of information has been provided to all of you. We are in constant contact with some officials and we will be kept abreast and we will do whatever it is that is necessary for us to do. But I will say that I ask the people of Arizona, I ask the people of America to keep the victims and their families in their prayers and pray for their recovery and pray that we never again in Arizona have to ever experience a tragedy like this ever again. And I would be glad to...
[Unidentified Reporter:] Can you tell me more about your relationship, you called her a friend. Can you tell about how far back you go and the last time you saw...
[Brewer:] Gabby served in the Arizona State Senate when I was in the secretary of state's office, and grown to love her and respect her, and certainly as campaigning statewide, she campaigned in the southern part of Arizona. I campaigned in the same areas but not only during the campaign effort, but certainly just going down and speaking to different groups like the Red Cross or Davis Marten Airport or library causes, Gabby always showed up and we were always and often appearing together on the same stage. And she was a genuine, nice, kind, hardworking servant for the people of district eight. Always courteous to everyone. She never really played partisan politics. She was serious about what she did and she was always concerned with what with what good of her district. And so you have to admire someone like that. She was a very gracious and is a very gracious elected public servant.
[Unidentified Reporter:] Governor, are you worried how this makes Arizona look?
[Brewer:] I think that it is something that certainly a state would not like to have happen in their state, or tragedies happen, and certainly we know that people should be held accountable and responsible for their actions. This certainly doesn't show favor on the state of Arizona, but we have a lot of good, decent people here as this is one of those horrible tragedies that we face. And we need to move on and make sure that those kinds of things don't happen.
[Unidentified Reporter:] Governor, will this change how you meet with your constituents?
[Brewer:] It's interesting. I've always been sort of the kind of person that always was with the people. I had an incident when I served on the board of supervisors in Maricopa County when we had a shooting take place when one of our supervisors was shot. And at that time, it was a realization that these things can happen. That we have, for whatever the reasons, disturbed people in our communities that sometimes do...
[Don Lemon, Cnn Anchor:] We apologize for that. Obviously having some technical difficulties there is. That was the governor of Arizona Jan Brewer talking about who she calls not only a co-worker, colleague but a friend, as well. Let's listen back in.
[Brewer:] Because I've always believed that government ought to be open and people ought to be freely, will be able to access the facilities. I think it's important, but I would assume under the circumstances that we've all seen today, the security in some manner probably will be increased. Well, basically the same thing. He was very, very gracious, was totally nonpartisan, it was not political. He wanted to assure me as the president of the United States that whatever that they could do, they would send their resources. They would be there for whatever is needed. That they would be working with my team. Make sure that all the numbers were conveyed to their staff. And that we will posted, indicated that the FBI would be doing the investigation, and that we would be in touch. I told to him, you know, I've tried to tell him and explain to him what a horrible tragedy and what a sad, sad day this is for not only Arizona, but for America.
[Unidentified Reporter:] Have you spoken to anyone from Representative Giffords' staff or family or circle?
[Brewer:] I have not. I have spoken with mayor walkup, who has spoken with I believe Congresswoman Giffords' father and he's assured me that he too would keep me posted, on hands down there at DMC. And I spoke to the speaker but I have not been able to reach them.
[Unidentified Reporter:] Governor, will this have any impact on the events scheduled here on Monday?
[Brewer:] At this point in time, we have discussed that. You know, we had been down here, we had just begun the first 10, 15 minutes for the activity tomorrow when we got news that this awful tragedy had happened. So we just shut everything down, and speaking with the speaker, I think that this afternoon and early tomorrow morning, we will determine just exactly what direction we will be going.
[Unidentified Reporter:] Did you ever work with Ms. Giffords' on any specific legislation?
[Brewer:] I think that I have. I can't think of it right now in regards to it, but I remember being on the floor with Gabby talking about legislation and just when I became a secretary of state. And so it would be something I have to go back and look in my records.
[Unidentified Reporter:] Thank you, governor.
[Lemon:] That was Arizona Governor Jan Brewer talking about her colleague and that she said her friend, Gabrielle Giffords, but she calls her Gab or Gabby. And that's sort of the sentiment that everyone who has spoken out about this congresswoman has said about her. She's a kind woman, nonpartisan, hard worker, the kind of person who never met a stranger. I'm Don Lemon. Thanks for joining us. It is 5:07 Eastern Time. And I want to tell you, we have some new information concerning the man who police believe is responsible for this. CNN is being told that by an Arizona law enforcement source, and a U.S. law enforcement source that they have identified the suspect in this shooting, his name is Jared Lee Loughner. Jared Lee Loughner. Other law enforcement source puts his age at 22. There was some concern, 22, maybe 23. But 22- year-old Jared Lee Loughner, CNN has confirmed through a law enforcement source and also another U.S. law enforcement force and an Arizona law enforcement source that that is the suspect who committed this heinous act. We're following this story with new information. Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is fighting for her life at this moment. Shot through the head today while meeting with constituents outside of a Tucson grocery store. Six people died and 12 were wounded when a gunman opened fire. Giffords now is out of surgery. Doctors updated her condition just a short time ago.
[Unidentified Woman:] The congresswoman is not deceased.
[Unidentified Man:] Can you tell us her condition currently?
[Unidentified Woman:] She's in critical condition. The neurosurgeons have finished operating on her and I can tell you at the current time, I'm very optimistic about recovery.
[Lemon:] Giffords, seen here with her husband, NASA Shuttle Astronaut Mark Kelly, was holding a Congress on your corner event at a busy Tucson Safeway when the gunman opened fire at close range, we're told very close. Federal Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old child were among those who were killed. At least five others are in critical condition, we were told by the hospital at the press conference just a short time ago. Police have a suspect in custody. Again, we're just getting this, he's identified as 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, Jared Lee Loughner, a weapon has been recovered, as well. Our Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash and Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry are in Washington right now, they're joining us and our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta standing by for us on the phone. Sanjay, I want to go to you real quickly, because I want to talk about this type of injury and for a doctor, a neurosurgeon to say that they are optimistic, that's a good sign.
[Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent:] It's a very good sign. And listening closely to that press conference, Don, one of the things that really stuck out, they said that while she is in critical condition, she is following commands. That's such an important thing to note there, that someone is following commands, coming out of surgery, even though she may have a breathing tube in. It means that she's able to hear what someone is saying, saying a command such as raise two fingers, for example. She hears that, she processes that and she's able to execute some sort of function based on that. Raising two fingers means that several things in her brain are actually working very well. So from a neurological perspective, that's something you really want to look for and the fact that she's able to do it is a very important and good sign, Don.
[Lemon:] Do you know anything about her health right now? Apparently she is a healthy person, otherwise I know you're not her doctor. But she would have to be, one would assume, in good health to undergo something like this and still be responsive.
[Gupta:] Well, you know, I mean, we don't know a lot about the I don't know a lot about her previous health. I think she's relatively a young person. But, you know, the situation with a gunshot wound to the head and how serious it is, is dependent on a lot of things, obviously the type of munition that was used, the range which I know, I heard you described as close range, was this a glancing sort of shot, meaning, you know, did it sort of bounce sort of off the skull more than actually penetrate. Those things are all important. Which side of the head specifically, there are areas of the brain if they are hit or damaged would cause more concern than other areas of the brain.
[Lemon:] Can she can go on and lead a normal life after this, if she does, indeed make a full recovery?
[Gupta:] Well, you know, I couldn't say that right now and I'm not sure her doctors could say that right now. Because, this is, you know, obviously in the very acute aftermath of this. But, again, I think at this stage, after a close range gunshot wound to the head, that she's alive, obviously, she's following commands. Those are good signs. Exactly what her function will be, will she have any difficulties with speech, with strength, all those things, I don't think anybody could or probably should frankly say at this time for sure yet.
[Lemon:] All right. Our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Sanjay, thank you very much and we'll tell you that our chief white house correspondent and our senior congressional correspondents are standing by. Ed Henry and Dana Bash in Washington and they're going to update you. And Kate Bolduan is also standing by. Ed has some information about how the president found out and what's happening behind the scenes at the White House right now. We want to hear from you. We've been hearing a lot about this story. Thank you so much on social media updating us. We're updating you as well. So make sure you check out our accounts. We're right back after the break with this breaking news here on CNN.