Jared Lee Loughner
His attempted assassination of a U.S. Congresswoman in 2011 shattered a community meeting in Tucson and ignited a national debate on political violence.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American mass murderer·Birthday: September 10·Millennials
Biography
Jared Lee Loughner's life is defined by a single act of violence on a January morning outside a Tucson supermarket. A community event hosted by Representative Gabby Giffords turned into a massacre when Loughner opened fire, killing six people, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl, and wounding 13 others, critically injuring Giffords. The attack, which occurred amid a period of intense political rhetoric, was a stark moment of national trauma. Diagnosed with schizophrenia after his arrest, Loughner was found incompetent to stand trial for over a year. He eventually pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, receiving multiple life sentences. The event permanently altered the lives of the victims and their families and led to a prolonged national conversation about mental health treatment, gun laws, and the tenor of American politics.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jared was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jared Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jared's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Did You Know?
Prior to the shooting, Loughner had been suspended from Pima Community College for disruptive behavior and told he could only return with a mental health clearance.
He was subdued at the scene by several bystanders, including Patricia Maisch, who grabbed a spare magazine from him, and Roger Salzgeber, who helped tackle him.
In court, Loughner smiled oddly during initial proceedings, a behavior that ceased after he began receiving treatment for schizophrenia with medication.
“I know who's in control of the grammar, and you don't even know what you're doing.”
