On a bright Saturday morning, January 8, 2011, in Casas Adobes, Arizona, 76-year-old Dorwan Stoddard, a White male, and his wife, Mavy, attended a 'Congress on Your Corner' event hosted by U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords outside a local Safeway supermarket. The cheerful gathering of constituents was shattered at approximately 10:10 a.m. when a gunman suddenly opened fire on the crowd.
In an act of selfless heroism, Dorwan immediately shielded his wife from the hail of bullets, covering her with his own body. He was fatally struck by a gunshot to the head, sacrificing his life to save hers. Mavy sustained gunshot wounds to her legs but survived the horrific attack.
The retired construction worker was one of six people tragically killed that day in a violent rampage that also left thirteen others wounded, including Congresswoman Giffords, who was critically injured. The peaceful community event was instantly transformed into a scene of chaos and tragedy. First responders and law enforcement quickly descended on the shopping center as the nation learned of the shocking attack.
The assailant, identified as 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, was apprehended at the scene after being tackled by bystanders while he attempted to reload his weapon. In the aftermath, Loughner was charged with a multitude of federal offenses, including the attempted assassination of a member of Congress and the murders of federal employees. His legal proceedings revealed a history of mental health issues, and he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. After a period of treatment to restore competency, Loughner pleaded guilty to 19 counts. He was subsequently sentenced to seven consecutive life terms plus 140 years in prison, ensuring he would spend the remainder of his life incarcerated without the possibility of parole.
