U.S.

The Man Who Shot Gabby Giffords May Be Suing Gabby Giffords

The lawsuit claims the former U.S. representative has caused the shooter emotional and psychological distress.

The Man Who Shot Gabby Giffords May Be Suing Gabby Giffords
Getty Images, Pima County Sheriff's Forensic Unit
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Jared Lee Loughner, the gunman in the 2011 Arizona shooting that killed six and wounded 13, including former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, is now seeking damages from Giffords for emotional and psychological distress. At least, according to a $25 million lawsuit filed in his name.

The lawsuit says Loughner was "hand-picked" to be the assassin and says: "My incarceration is illegal. I am actually innocent. I was framed." It also claims the government put a chip in his head and that Giffords only pretended to be shot and is part of a "global plot to take away our civil liberties." 

Loughner is currently serving time in Rochester, Minnesota. But this suit was apparently postmarked in Philadelphia, which is where a hoax lawsuit was sent from earlier this month in the name of the Uber driver accused of shooting eight people in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in February. 

Loughner reportedly has a history of mental illness, something the judge knew before his sentencing. According to CNN, the judge said, "The evidence clearly shows that he knew what he was doing, despite his mental illness." He sentenced Loughner to seven consecutive life terms plus 140 years. 

The 2011 shooting left Giffords permanently injured, but she has made a pretty impressive recovery and has even hit the campaign trail recently to stump for Hillary Clinton. 

"Speaking is hard for me, but come January, I want to say these two words: Madam President," Giffords said in a recent speech.

This video includes clips from WXYZ and Hillary for America and images from Getty Images.

Correction: A previous version of this video misstated where a hoax lawsuit filed in the name of a Michigan Uber driver accused of shooting eight people originated. The video has been updated.