Less remarked-upon is the kinds of systemic issues with public policy that led to the shooting in the first place: the breakdown of the US mental health system, and the ease with which people with intent to kill large numbers of people can get the weapons they need for that purpose. This has become the dog that didn’t bark in this tragedy. One of the victims of the shooting in Tucson was Gabe Zimmerman, a staffer for Giffords. His fiancee is one of the few to actually identify a problem related to the attack, and propose a solution.

The Sheriff’s office believes the second suspect arrived at the location of the shooting with Loughner, and Dupnik indicated that police have pictures of him. Dupnik confirmed in the press conference that the man is a white male, in his 50s, and they do not believe he took part in the shooting.

Gabe Zimmerman, one of three staffers of Gabrielle Giffords who were shot today at her Tuscon community event, has been named as one of those who died. The other two are expected to survive. Zimmerman was a former social worker who served as Giffords’ director of community outreach.