2011-01-20 14:26

LOS ANGELES- A federal grand jury in Arizona Wednesday indicted Jared Lee Loughner on charges of attempting to assassinate Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords and two of her aides.

Loughner, 22, opened fire on Giffords and a crowd of others when the congresswoman was greeting her constituents in a parking lot outside a grocery store in Tucson, Arizon, on January 8. The shooting killed six people, including US District Judge John Roll, and wounded 14 others, including Rep. Giffords.

"Today's charges are just the beginning of our legal action. We are working diligently to ensure that our investigation is thorough and that justice is done for the victims and their families," US Attorney Dennis K. Burke said in a statement.

"We are in the early stages of this ongoing investigation," Burke said. "We have made considerable progress in a short period of time."

Loughner could receive a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted of shooting Giffords, and up to 20 years if convicted of shooting two of her aides, Ron Barber and Pam Simon.

"This case also involves potential death penalty charges," Burke said.