A man who was injured in last weekend's shooting at a northwest-side grocery store was taken into custody Saturday, accused of making a threatening comment during a town-hall meeting, authorities said.

James Eric Fuller, 63, was involuntarily committed for a mental-health evaluation after the taping of a town hall organized for ABC's "This Week," said Deputy Jason Ogan, a Pima County Sheriff's Department spokesman.

Fuller was attending the event at St. Odilia Catholic Church, 7570 N. Paseo del Norte, with an array of officials and other people to discuss ramifications of the rampage Jan. 8 that killed six people and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

During the taping, Tucson Tea Party co-founder Trent Humphries was making a comment when Fuller reportedly turned around, snapped a photo of Humphries with his camera and said, "You're dead," Ogan said.

"After he made the comment, he began verbalizing too, pointing to the side of his head making gestures like, 'You're crazy, ' " said sheriff's Bureau Chief Rick Kastigar, who attended the event.

"He was visibly agitated," Kastigar said.

Fuller was escorted out of the meeting by deputies and interviewed before he was taken into custody, Ogan said.

The Pima County Attorney's Office will review the incident to see if Fuller will face any charges, he said.

Fuller, a naval air veteran, was shot in the left knee and hit in the back with bullet fragments during the shootings.

He drove himself to Northwest Medical Center after he was shot. The town hall is expected to air today.

Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or call 573-4115.


Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.