President Obama: ‘Michelle And I Are Shocked And Saddened’ By Colorado Shooting
July 19 2012, Published 12:00 p.m. ET
By Neil Woulfe - Breaking Celebrity News Senior News Director
As the country woke up Friday morning to news of the horrifying shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, President Obama released a statement expressing his sorrow.
"Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado,” Obama said. “Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded."
In the statement, Obama added: "As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family."
The President was notified of the shooting by his deputy national security adviser for homeland security and counterterrorism, John Brennan, at 5:26 a.m. EST, according to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
Obama has pulled all of his campaign ads in Colorado in wake of the tragedy. "We have asked affiliates in Colorado to pull down our contrast advertising for the time being. It takes time for stations to be able to do this, but we are making every effort," Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters. Romney later announced that he too would do the same.