US President Obama made a televised appearance in the White House briefing room after the shooting spree. Choking up and wiping away tears, Obama said his heart was broken for the families of the dead as well as survivors.
Barack Obama, US President, said, "The majority of those who died today were children. Beautiful little kids between the ages of five and ten years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them: birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfil their dreams. So our hearts are broken today, for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well. For as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain."