Wednesday marks 14 years since former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot and critically injured at a Safeway outside Tucson. A ceremony was held to honor those killed and wounded.
A somber ceremony was held at the Jan. 8 memorial in Tucson. The event started at exactly 10:10 am, the time the mass shooting started. A bell rang for the six individuals who were shot and killed, and the 13 wounded survivors. The shooter was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences, plus 140 years.
Giffords spoke at the ceremony.
"Our lives can change so quickly. Mine did when I was shot, but I never gave up hope. I chose to make a new start," Giffords said.
Giffords has since become a passionate gun safety advocate. She started the nonprofit, gun-violence prevention organization, Giffords, in 2013.
"Progress is possible. A better world is possible, but change doesn't happen overnight, and we can't do it alone. Join me. Let's move ahead together," she said.
Giffords’ staffer Ron Barber — who filled the U.S. House seat Giffords was forced to vacate — also spoke at a ceremony.
“She’s a woman of great courage, strength and inspiration. She certainly inspired me when I worked for her and then when I succeeded her when she resigned from congress,” Barber said.
