WASHINGTON (AP) - A tearful President Barack Obama
says the country's leaders must "take meaningful action" regardless of
politics in response to the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary
school.
The president teared up, at times using an index
finger to wipe at the corner of his eyes, as he addressed the nation
from the White House. He also paused repeatedly as he struggled to keep
his composure while speaking of the children - ages 5 to 10 - who had
died and the life milestones they now would miss.
He said, quote, "Our hearts are broken."
Shortly before speaking, Obama ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff on public grounds through Tuesday.
A heavily armed man invaded a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school today, killing his mother and 26 others, most of them children.
The gunman has been identified as Ryan Lanza, 24, of New Jersey. He was killed inside of the school.
In addition to the casualties at the school, a dead body was also found in Lanza's home, officials said. Sources said Lanza was armed with four weapons and wearing a bullet-proof vest when he opened fire in the elementary school.
Among the dead was the gunman's mother, found inside the school.
"The shooter is deceased inside the building," Connecticut State Police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance said at a news conference. "The public is not in danger."
