U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona is undergoing a surgery for gunshot wounds after being shot on Saturday morning, Arizona State Senator Linda Lopez said.

Candles are seen lighted up for those dead and injured people during a shooting outside the medical center of Arizona University in Tucson, Arizona, United States, Jan. 8, 2011. The alleged shooter intended to kill Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when he pulled the trigger of a pistol in a shooting spree which also claimed lives of five others including U.S.District Judge John Roll and wounded 12 others at a supermarket in northwest Tucson, Arizona Saturday morning, officials said. (Xinhua/Qi Heng)

Giffords is in the emergency room undergoing surgery and is in very serious condition, said Lopez, who is at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Lopez made the remarks after speaking to Giffords' parents, according to The Arizona Republic, a local newspaper.

Giffords is among at least 12 victims shot at a Tucson public event. She was shot point blank in the head, according to witnesses who said they heard 15 to 20 gunshots.

There were conflicting U.S. media reports about the congresswoman's condition, with some saying she was already dead.

Giffords was meeting with her constituents at a grocery store when the shooting occurred. Five people, including one of Giffords ' aides, were reportedly killed.

Those wounded are either in serious or critical condition, and are being treated in the same hospital as Giffords, sources said.

The wounded included a child and some of Giffords' aides, who were with her at the time, reports quoted unidentified congressional officials as saying.

The Pima County Sheriff's Office confirmed that it is investigating a multiple shooting at a Safeway in northwest Tucson at Ina and Oracle roads.

It was also reported that the FBI has taken over the investigation.

Giffords, a Democrat, serves the 8th Congressional District. She was re-elected to her third term last November.

Giffords was a member of the Arizona House and Senate before going to Washington.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet