Randy and Amy Loughner, the parents of alleged gunman Jared Lee Loughner, released a statement to the media for the first time on Tuesday.
“There are no words that can possibly express how we feel,” the Loughner family said in a statement. “We wish that there were, so we could make you feel better.”
“We don’t understand what happened. It may not make any difference, but we wish we could change the heinous events of Saturday,” the family said. “We care deeply about the victims and their families, and we are so very sorry for their loss.”
Loughner is accused of shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), killing six people (including a federal judge) and injuring 14 people. He appeared in federal court on Monday.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Dennis K. Burke announced Tuesday that they set up a new victim services hotline so that victims could receive assistance under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.
“We are doing everything we can to help the victims of this terrible shooting,” Burke said. “U.S. Attorney’s office advocates have been on the ground in Tucson since midday Saturday working to help the victims and their families understand their rights, and get the help that they need. There is a still a long road ahead for those directly affected by Saturday’s events, and we will be with them every step of the way.”
U.S. Attorney’s office victim and witness advocates, said office said in a statement, work directly with federal crime victims and their families so that they understand their rights and can participate in criminal proceedings pursuant to those rights.
Our full coverage of Jared Loughner is here.
