Obama Leads Moment Of Silence For Shooting Victims

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama take part in the moment of silence.

U.S. President Barack Obama has presided over a national moment of silence for injured congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and six people who were killed during an assassination attempt against her.

On the White House South Lawn today, Obama was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama and White House staff members.

Giffords is in intensive care at a Tucson hospital after being shot in the head at close range. Among the six people killed were Arizona's chief federal judge, a 9-year-old girl, and one of Giffords' aides.

Prosecutors have charged 22-year-old Jared Loughner on a series of counts, including the attempted assassination of a member of Congress.

Loughner is due to appear in court in Arizona's state capital, Phoenix.

Investigators said they found an envelope at his residence with the handwritten phrases "I planned ahead" and "My assassination," along with the name "Giffords" and what appeared to be Loughner's signature.

compiled from agency reports