Mary Reed, shot three times Jan. 8, wants Jared Lee Loughner to understand what he did.
"I'm hoping they can get him help through medication or whatever it takes to help with his own defense and to understand the charges," said Reed, who attended Loughner's competency hearing Wednesday. "It is so important."
A federal judge found Loughner incompetent to stand trial, at least for the next four months. Doctors say he has schizophrenia.
Reed was standing in line to see U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at a "Congress On Your Corner" event with her husband and two children when, witnesses say, Loughner, 22, shot Giffords in the head and then began firing into the crowd. Reed pushed her 17-year-old daughter, Emma, against a wall, shielding her from the spray.
"I think we all had an inkling that he would not be found competent," said Reed, who was shot in the back and in both arms. "But I am hoping that he can be made competent and still tried. β¦ He committed a crime against all of us."
Thirteen people, including Giffords and Reed, were injured by gunfire. Six others were killed.
Giffords' office declined to comment on Wednesday's hearing.
While some survivors of that tragic morning chose not to attend, at least 30 witnesses, survivors and family members did. Witness and former Giffords staff member Sara Hummel Rajca traveled from her home in South Carolina to be there.
"I thought it was an important hearing," Hummel Rajca said. "I wanted to hear what was discussed in the courtroom, and I also wanted to support the others who were there that day."
Like others who attended, Hummel Rajca was not surprised that Loughner was found incompetent.
"I felt the decision was fair," she said. "For him to stand trial I think would definitely assist the victims in some closure, but it all just depends on what happens in September," when Loughner is next due in court.
Randy Gardner, shot through the foot Jan. 8, was similarly not surprised.
"It seemed like no one was too shocked by the decision. Everyone kind of accepted it. The wheels of justice are moving in the direction they should," said Gardner, a semi-retired mental-health worker.
"It was sad, solemn," he continued. "I don't think there are a lot of people hungry for vengeance. They are just sad to see these kinds of incidents happen in our country. I felt a sadness among all of us about why we were there."
Gardner said his hope is that Loughner is forever kept away from the public.
"I'm sorry, when you kill that many people you've lost your card for being in society. You are going to be isolated and incarcerated for the rest of your life, either in a mental-health hospital or a prison," Gardner said.
J. Eric Fuller, shot in the knee and back Jan. 8, echoed that opinion.
"He might turn old and gray in a mental institution and never come to trial. I'm comfy with that. I'm OK with that," Fuller said.
Suzi Hileman, one of the most seriously wounded in the shooting, found some comfort in attending the hearing.
"What I want, I can't have. I want this not to have happened," said Hileman, who attended the Congress on Your Corner event with her neighbor, 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, who was killed.
"The people of the United States are prosecuting the person who killed my friend and hurt me. It's on my behalf and Christina's behalf," Hileman said. "I am very respectful of the whole judicial process. This is a wonderful country, and that's why I took Christina that day, to see how it works."
Hileman, who was shot three times, including once in the chest, said she has formed a bond with many of the other Jan. 8 survivors. Seeing fellow survivors always provides some solace to her deep grief over losing Christina-Taylor, Hileman said.
Other survivors from the shooting are choosing not to attend court proceedings until they testify.
Giffords' district director Ron Barber, who was shot in the leg and the face, said it is upsetting to his wife, Nancy, to even think about seeing Loughner in person.
"We're a team, so we're not going to go until I get called," Barber said.
Barber said he wasn't surprised by the judge's finding. His main hope for the court process is that it isn't slow.
"I would like the whole judicial process expedited," he said. "It's hard on the people shot and their loved ones to live through hearing after hearing."
Ross Zimmerman, whose son and Giffords staff member Gabe Zimmerman was one of the six killed, also did not attend.
"It's pretty clear that the poor fellow was deranged. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is not inconsistent with what people have been saying about him," Zimmerman said of Loughner. "I really strongly want them to do a very professional job, the best they can, to ensure he isn't a danger to himself or others. There are various ways that can occur."
But Zimmerman said he doesn't wish to be directly involved in the process.
"None of this is going to bring back our son," he said. "I'd love to talk to Gabe about it. I have talked to him about it - I just haven't heard back."
Star reporter Tim Steller contributed to this report. Contact reporter Stephanie Innes at sinnes@azstarnet.com or 573-4134.
