Survivors confront Giffords' gunman

Jared Loughner, the gunman who killed six people and wounded 13 others, including Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, will face his victims at his sentencing. He will get life in prison as part of a plea deal. KVOA's Sam Salzawedel reports. By NBC News staff and wire reports TUCSON, Ariz. -- The man who pleaded guilty to a deadly Arizona shooting rampage that also wounded former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 12 others declined to speak Thursday at his sentencing hearing, where a judge declared him competent and survivors tearfully addressed their attacker for the first time. Survivors expressed their anger at Loughner over the January 2011 shooting at a Giffords political event outside a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz. Loughner's parents were weeping in the Tucson courtroom, NBC News reported. Victims were commenting before U.S. District Judge Larry Burns sentences Loughner, though it's unknown whether Giffords or her husband, Mark Kelly, planned to speak. Both attended the Thursday hearing. The 24-year-old Loughner pleaded guilty three months ago to 19 federal charges under an agreement that guarantees he will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. The deal calls for the dismissal of 30 other charges and a sentence of seven consecutive life terms, followed by 140 years in prison. Both sides reached the deal after a judge declared that Loughner was able to understand the charges against him. After the shooting, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent forcible psychotropic drug treatments. Some victims, including Giffords, welcomed the deal as a way to move on. It spared victims and their families from having to go through a potentially lengthy and traumatic trial and locks up the defendant for life. Suzi Hileman, who was shot three times while trying to save her 9-year-old neighbor, and Mavy Stoddard, whose husband died shielding her from bullets, plan to address the court. "He has to pay the consequences for what he did, and justice will be served," Hileman said. Christina Pietz, the court-appointed psychologist who treated Loughner, had warned that although Loughner was competent to plead guilty, he remained severely mentally ill and his condition could deteriorate under the stress of a trial. When Loughner first arrived at a Missouri prison facility for treatment, he was convinced Giffords was dead, even though he was shown a video of the shooting. He eventually realized she was alive after he was forcibly medicated. 'Home for good': Giffords, husband move back to Tucson It's unknown whether Pima County prosecutors, who have discretion on whether to seek the death penalty against Loughner, will file state charges against him. Stephanie Coronado, a spokeswoman for Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, said Wednesday that no decision had been made. It's also unclear where Loughner will be sent to serve his federal sentence. He could return to a prison medical facility like the one in Springfield, Mo., where he's been treated for more than a year. Or he could end up in a prison such as the federal lockup in Florence, Colo., that houses some of the country's most notorious criminals, including Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols and "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski. The exact placement will depend on the nature of his mental illness and its treatment. Saul Loeb / EPA A look at the Arizona lawmaker's rise to prominence — from high school to Capitol Hill. The Associated Press contributed to this report. More content from NBCNews.com: Hail to the chief: Americans eyed in search for Britain's top rabbi 1 in 31 no more: Gay rights movement ends dismal record Man admits Election Day burglary of Nancy Pelosi house, cops say Governor to potheads: 'Don't break out the Cheetos' Report: Dad says he put poison on dead son's pizza Zoo officials: Toddler's death in Pittsburgh shows no zoo is 100 percent safe Post Superstorm Sandy, travelers prepare for a busy Thanksgiving Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook