The Loughners, the shooter’s family, issued a public statement to the media this afternoon, the first since Saturday’s shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others.

More than a dozen news organizations waited on the sidewalk and street in front of the home of Jared Loughner. They sat and prepared their cameras, microphones and notes for a public statement from Randy Loughner, Jared’s father.

Two men, who refused to identify themselves, entered and left the Loughner residence throughout Tuesday morning and afternoon. Around 4 p.m., these men emerged from the home and handed out the following statement:

“”This is a very difficult time for us. We ask the media to respect our privacy. There are no words that can possibly express how we feel. We wish that there were, so we could make you feel better. We don’t understand why this happened. It may not make any difference, but we wish that we could change the heinous events of Saturday.

We care very deeply about the victims and their families. We are so very sorry for their loss. Thank you. The Loughner Family.””

The men returned to the Loughner home without comment.