Two of the victims in a recent shooting in Arizona had connections to the Presbyterian Church (USA), according to reports by the Presbyterian News Service (PNS).

A member of the PCUSA’s Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz., was among six people killed Jan. 8. Jared Loughner has been accused of firing into a crowd outside a grocery store Saturday morning and is suspected of targeting U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was one of 14 injured.

PNS reported Jan. 10 that 79-year-old Northminster member Phyllis Schneck was killed in the shooting. Her pastor, the Rev. Andy Ross, described Schneck’s devotion and commitment to Jesus Christ in the article.

“From all of us at Northminster to all of you – we offer our hope and commitment to live as Christ’s disciples, advancing His Kingdom of peace and healing, hope and salvation, with God’s divine help, and with all of you. God bless you,” he said.

The Associated Press reported that Schneck is from Rutherford, N.J., and spends her winters in Tucson.

Giffords aide had strong PCUSA ties

PNS also is reporting that a second person slain in the shooting, Giffords’ 30-year-old congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman, also had PCUSA connections.

Quoting the Rev. John Matthew of Boise, Idaho, PNS reported Jan. 11 that Zimmerman came from a “staunch Presbyterian family,” and that Matthew was planning to attend the memorial service for the victims.

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