Mourners are set to gather for the funeral of a federal judge killed during the attempted assassination of a congresswoman in Arizona.
US District Judge John Roll, who served nearly 40 years, had stopped at a supermarket meet-and-greet for Democratic representative Gabrielle Giffords when he was shot and killed, along with five others. Thirteen were wounded, including Ms Giffords, who was shot in the head.
US marshals and local law officers were preparing for the service at the Tucson church, which was expected to be attended by many other judges.
Across the street from the church, graffiti on a wall read “Stop the Hate”, and a huge sign draped over a house read “Your community is standing with you”.
Local residents will gather at the same church at which they mourned the death of a “bubbly” nine-year-old girl on Thursday who was also killed in the incident.
Some 2,000 mourners said goodbye to Christina Taylor Green on Thursday. Hundreds more lined streets outside in a show of unity and support in tribute to the “joyful, patriotic and athletic” schoolgirl.
Outside the church, mourners lined both sides of the street outside for more than a quarter of a mile. Hundreds of motorcycle riders also stood guard and more than a dozen residents were dressed as angels, while some mourners dressed in white placed candles alongside the road leading to the church.
Her father, John Green, recalled in an emotional eulogy how his daughter used to pick blueberries, loved snorkelling and played for hours with her cousins and brother behind the house, directing the activities.
He remembered how once, upon returning from a two-week trip, he found his daughter and his wife dancing in the hallway, full of life and happiness. “Christina Taylor Green, I can’t tell you how much we all miss you,” her father said. “I think you have affected the whole country.”
Meanwhile, a man walking a dog found a black bag containing ammunition that authorities believe was discarded by suspected gunman, 22-year-old Jared Loughner.
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