Gabrielle Giffords’ shooter pleads guilty

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' alleged shooter plead guilty just after a federal judge declared him mentally fit to accept a plea, according to Slate.

Earlier today Giffords said she was satisfied with the agreement, which could imprison Jared Lee Loughner for life, and allow him avoid the death penalty, the Associated Press reported. 

"Gabby and I have been in contact with the US Attorneys' Office throughout this process," Mark Kelly, Gifford's husband, said in a joint statement. "We don't speak for all of the victims or their families, but Gabby and I are satisfied with this plea agreement."

On Jan. 8, 2011, Loughner shot Giffords, then a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, killed six people, and wounded 11 others at a political rally in Casas Adobes, Arizona.

“The pain and loss caused by the events of Jan. 8, 2011, are incalculable,” Giffords and Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. “Avoiding a trial will allow us—and we hope the whole Southern Arizona community—to continue with our recovery."

If the deal goes through, Loughner will have a possibility of parole, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.