Three brave people to note from Gabrielle Giffords’ shooting

Photo via James Palka/AP

As we mourn for those lost and await the recovery of Gabrielle Giffords and others injured in Saturday’s horrific shooting, I thought it would be remiss to not recognize a few brave individuals in particular who were there on Saturday. In the midst of the shock and anger everyone is in from this violent act of hate, these people’s courage should remind us of the humanity and goodness that still exists in this country.

Daniel Hernandez, the 20-year old intern of Gabrielle Giffords (who is openly gay) was only on the job for five days before he potentially saved her life on Saturday. Having some experience in triage and training allowed him to rush to her side and apply pressure to her wound while waiting for emergency medical support:

“‘Just grab my hand to let me know that you’re okay,'” he recalls telling the injured lawmaker.

According to Hernandez, she squeezed his hand, and he didn’t let go, riding with her in the ambulance to the hospital, where she was rushed into emergency surgery.

“It was probably not the best idea to run toward the gunshots,” he told the Arizona Republic. “But people needed help.”

2. An unidentified woman 61-year old woman was reported by Sheriff Clarence Dupnik to have charged Jared Lee Loughner:

Dupnik said that when Loughner ran out of bullets in his first magazine clip, a woman who had already been shot “went up and grabbed” the new magazine “and tore it away from him.” Dupnik said the name of the woman was known but he did not share it during the press conference.

He adds that the woman and two men who subdued Loughner avoided “a huge greater catastrophe.” UPDATE: The woman was not shot, and has been identified as 61-year old Patricia Maisch.

3. Christina Taylor Green, the 9-year old girl who lost her life on Saturday, was born on 9/11 and had just been elected to the student council in her elementary school. She went to the “Meet and Greet” to learn more about politics. “She was all about helping people and being involved,” said her mother, Roxanne. She was also the only girl on her local Little League team. “She was a strong girl, a very good athlete,” Roxanna Green told the Arizona Daily Star. “She was interested in everything.”