Arizona shooting suspect may be linked to anti-Semitic group

An internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo quoted by FOX News Channel revealed the gunman - named by the media as Jared Loughner, 22 - is “possibly linked” to American Renaissance.

The group subscribes to an ideology that is “anti-government, anti-immigration, anti -ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government), anti-Semitic,” according to the DHS memo.

Giffords “is the first Jewish female elected to such a high position in the US government. She was also opposite this group’s ideology when it came to immigration debate,” the note said.

The suspect’s mother works the Pima County Board of Supervisors in Arizona, the briefing added.

The DHS confirmed that the FBI have now taken over the investigation.