Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shared a moving message about her fears for the safety of newly elected husband Mark Kelly after riots unfolded in the US Capitol building.
Pro-Trump rioters staged a deadly siege on the building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, with the violence leading to four deaths with one woman fatally shot inside the Capitol building.
Police ordered members of Congress and staff to evacuate or shelter in place as Donald Trump’s supporters stormed offices, broke windows, and looted.
“As I sat waiting for information about @SenMarkKelly’s safety today,” she wrote on Twitter. “I couldn’t stop thinking about what you must have gone through 10 years ago this week.”
Ms Gifford's message came in reference to the nearing anniversary of a gunman’s attack on her in 2011 as she spoke at an event in Tucson, during which six others were killed.
During the attack, Ms Giffords was seriously injured and Sen Kelly was in Houston with his daughters and did not know if his wife had survived, The Arizona Republic reported.
Following the tragedy, both Sen Kelly and Ms Giffords campaigned for gun safety across the country and founded Giffords, an organisation “dedicated to saving lives from gun violence.”
In November’s election, Sen Kelly ousted Arizona’s incumbent Republican senator Martha McSally with 53.4 per cent of the vote.
"I’m so glad you and your staff are safe. I love you, sweetie,” Ms Giffords signed off her message on Wednesday.
The riots came as Congress convened on 6 January to certify electoral college votes and confirm the election of Joe Biden as president.
