Suspect Bought Ammo Hours Before Attack



U.S. Marshals

Jared Loughner, seen in this picture taken by Pima County sheriff's investigators, made his first court appearance Monday.

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The 22-year-old man accused of trying to assassinate a U.S. congresswoman in a shooting spree that left six people dead and more than a dozen wounded bought his ammunition at a Walmart store hours before the rampage, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Jared Loughner,described by authorities and associates as a loner with deep distrust of the government was turned away from one Walmart when he tried to purchase ammunition but was sold the bullets at another Walmart nearby, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the case.

It was unclear why he was turned away from the first store, the Journal said.

His expression was impassive as he walked in. He looked at the crowd at the back of the room packed with reporters, then turned around to speak to his attorney, Judy Clarke.

The judge asked Loughner if he understood that he could get life in prison — or the death penalty — for killing federal Judge John Roll, one of the six who died in the shooting rampage on Saturday in Tucson. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded in the attack.

"Yes," he said in a deep voice. A U.S. marshal stood guard nearby.

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