The tragedy that is unfolding in Tucson, Arizona has quickly turned into a political statement.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding an event at a local Safeway parking lot called “Congress on Your Corner”.  These events afford her constituents an opportunity to meet with her and air their concerns regarding the issues that affect them, their state and their country. Rep Giffords, in arranging these “corner” events, shows that she takes her obligation to her constituents seriously.

Now, with the death of 6 people, including a 9 year old girl, a federal judge, and Rep. Giffords fighting for her life, some people still can’t resist making this into a political statement.

The shooter, 22 year old Jared Lee Loughner, is obviously a very disturbed individual. Yet, some people tried to tie him to the so-called “vitriolic speech” from talk radio and TV.  Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik stressed those words quite a few times during his briefing.

I don’t know for certain, but the use of that phrase sounds as if that Sheriff may be a liberal-leaning individual using this tragedy to take a shot at the Tea Party and talk radio personalities. It’s a cheap shot and the Sheriff, for all his years of experience in law enforcement, should know that when you’re dealing with a mentally disturbed individual, all bets are off.

Nobody forced Jared Lee Loughner to pick up a gun.  When someone is as truly disturbed as Jared Lee Loughner obviously is, any action, word or encounter can set them off.  It can be an action as innocuous as a smile from someone that may trigger a memory, or an emotion that he cannot handle.

As angry as I may become at some of the stupid and inane comments that spew from the left, I know there is another way to defeat them without violence. As do other people who are sound of mind. This man was not sound of mind obviously. His actions proved it. There are millions of Americans who own firearms and would never use them unless it was a life or death situation or in defense of their home.

For Sheriff Dupnik to immediately use the leftist mantra that describes talk radio as being the impetus for this tragedy is irresponsible.  While I would expect it from the leftist bloggers, for a man who has been in law enforcement for as long as he, his words stain his reputation and career.  He used those words quite a few times in his briefing. Did he know what was really driving Loughner? No. No one does. When you assume…well, …you know the rest of the quote, Sheriff.

These are the facts. Congresswoman Giffords is fighting for her life. Six people are dead; 14 others are wounded. Jared Lee Loughner is the shooter. His motives are not fully known.  Those who are using this as an opportunity to advance a political agenda, whether it is from the left or right are a shameful lot and irresponsible.   For once, let’s take a deep breath, step back and wait for the facts to come out. Let us mourn and pray for the dead, pray for those injured and recovering and pray for all the families.

Leave out the politics in all this and paint it for what it really is: a heinous crime by a very disturbed and dangerous individual.