TUCSON, Ariz. — The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has found the mysterious man seen on the Safeway security videos just before the horrific shooting started.
Yesterday police released a photo of the man, appearing to be in his 40’s or 50’s with dark hair and a blue jacket, asking the public to contact them with any information. The man came forward and explained he was a taxi driver who dropped the shooter, Jared Loughner, 22, off at Safeway. When they arrived, the taxi driver accompanied Loughner into the store while he got cash out of the ATM to pay for the ride. The taxi driver has been cleared of all suspicion.
It is now clear that Loughner arrived at the shopping center at 9:59 on Saturday morning. Police received the first notifications of the shooting at 10:11 and were on the scene by 10:16.
Loughner, who is now in police custody, has officially been charged with five counts by the Arizona District Attorney, Dennis K. Burke.
The charges are: attempted murder of a member of the United States Congress, Representative Gabrielle Giffords; the murder of Gabriel Zimmerman, who was working for the United States in assistance of the Congresswoman at the time of his death; the murder of District Court Judge John Roll; attempted murder of Pamela Simon, another employee of Giffords who was working for the United States at the time; and the attempted murder of Ron Barber, also employed by Giffords and working for the United States at the time.
Loughner is set to appear in court Monday, when the court will decide when he will have his preliminary and detention hearings.
The Arizona District Attorney is in the process of making an indictment against Loughner, which they will present to a jury for review.
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