By Adam Nichols
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — A 9-year-old girl gunned down by a man in Arizona on Sunday was identified as the granddaughter of ex-Mets and Yankees manager Dallas Green.
Christina Taylor Green, 9, was at a constituent event for Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when a gunman began shooting, the Daily News reported. Green was born on Sept. 11, 2001 and her parents said she had shown a keen interest in politics.
Her grandfather managed the Yankees in the 1980s and later Mets in the early 90s.
"I can't believe this could happen to any 9-year-old, much less our own," Dallas Green, 76, told the News. "The worst thing to ever happen to us. This beautiful little girl, gone like this."
She was one of six people killed when a gunman opened fire at a meet-and-greet with Congresswoman Giffords in Tucson.
Her grandfather was in the Caribbean with his wife when he saw the shooting on TV, the News reported.
A gunman had opened fire on Congresswoman Giffords, shooting her in the head. He then sprayed the crowd with bullets, killing six and hurting 14. Christina Green had been taken to meet Giffords by a family friend, according to the News.
Police have arrested Jared Loughner, 22, who shot Giffords point blank in the head before killing six other, the New York Post reported.
Doctors have reportedly said they're optimistic that Giffords will survive.
Dallas Green didn't know his granddaughter was involved when he saw news of the shooting on TV. But then his wife spoke to their son on the phone, and broke the news to him.
"They shot our beautiful Christina," wife Sylvia Green told the News.
