Comments from ISS Commander Scott Kelly on the Shooting of His Sister-in-Law, Rep. Giffords

International Space Station (ISS) commander Scott Kelly issued the following statement through NASA about the tragic events in Tucson yesterday where his sister-in-law, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and 19 others were shot. Six died, and Rep. Giffords, who is married to Mark Kelly, Scott’s twin brother and fellow astronaut, is in critical condition.

“I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, words of condolences and encouragement for the victims and their families of this horrific event. My sister-in-law, Gabrielle Giffords is a kind, compassionate, brilliant woman, loved by friends and political adversaries alike- a true patriot. What is going on in our country that such a good person can be the subject of such senseless violence? It’s a sad day.”