Asia-Pacific

Arizona shooting victim arrested after threat

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-01-16 10:05

PHOENIX - One of the Arizona shooting victims was arrested Saturday and then taken for a psychiatric evaluation after authorities said he took a picture of a tea party leader at televised town hall meeting and yelled "you're dead."

A gun for sale is seen under glass at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona Jan 15, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

James Eric Fuller, 63, objected to something Trent Humphries said during the forum in Tucson that was taped for a special edition of ABC's "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour, Pima County sheriff's spokesman Jason Ogan said.

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Fuller was in the front row and apparently became upset when Humphries suggested that any conversations about gun control should be delayed until all the dead were buried, KGUN-TV in Tucson reported.

Fuller was arrested on misdemeanor disorderly conduct and threat charges, Ogan said. While Fuller was being escorted out, deputies decided he needed a mental health evaluation and he was taken to a hospital, where he remained Saturday evening.

The hospital will determine when he will be released, Ogan said.

Fuller was one of 19 people shot at a Safeway store January 8. Six people died and Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords remains in critical condition with a bullet wound to the head.

Fuller described the shootings as "a bad crime drama" in an interview on CBS' "The Early Show." He said he felt a bullet that hit his knee but didn't know he had also been struck in the back. Fuller, a naval air veteran, drove himself to Northwest Hospital after being shot, according to the Arizona Daily Star. He was later taken to University Medical Center where he was released two days later.

The show was videotaped at St. Odilia's Catholic Church in Tucson. Victims, witnesses, emergency responders and some of those hailed as heroes after the shooting discussed the tragedy.

The special will air Sunday on "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour.