President Obama on Mass Shooting Victims’ Families: ‘May the Lord bring them Comfort and Healing’
Friday, July 20, 2012 at 12:43PM 
A small group prays outside Gateway High School where witness were brought for questioning Friday, July 20, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. A gunman wearing a gas mask set off an unknown gas and fired into the crowded movie theater killing 12 people and injuring at least 50 others, authorities said. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)
(EEW Magazine News)-The unimaginable grief of the families that lost loved ones in the senseless mass shooting at an Aurora, CO movie theater after midnight is shared by millions across America. President Barack Obama noted during a Fort Myers campaign stop this morning, "There are going to be other days for politics. This, I think, is a day for prayer and reflection."
A heavily armed gunman dressed in black, wearing a flak jacket and a gas mask, reportedly kicked in an emergency door at a Colorado movie theater. He threw two canisters of gas and then opened fire on the audience, killing at least 12 people, and wounding dozens of others while they were watching the premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
The shooter has been identified by authorities as James Holmes, 24. He was taken into custody in a parking lot behind the theater after the heinous attack. The cold-blooded killer was a graduate student in neuroscience at the University of Colorado-Denver’s Aschutz Medical Campus, but, according to officials, was in the process of withdrawing from the program.
In the wake of such a senseless and terrible tragedy, when Obama announced his intentions to suspend campaigning for the day, the Fort Meyers audience erupted with claps and cheers of approval.
Obama also canceled another afternoon campaign stop scheduled for the Orlando area, and returned to Washington. The Obama campaign took things even a step further by asking Colorado stations to take its negative ads off the air.
“We may never understand whatever leads anyone to terrorize their fellow human beings, we do know what makes life worth living.” the president said.
“I hope all of you will keep the people of Aurora in your hearts and minds today,” Obama said before leading the audience in a moment of silence. “May the Lord bring them comfort and healing in the hard days to come. ... I hope that as a consequence of today’s events, as you leave here, you spend a little time thinking about the incredible blessings that God has given us.”
The official White House Statement read:
Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. 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. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.
Our thoughts and prayers are with these families.
Reader Comments (2)
Such a sad, senseless act. My heart and prayers go out to the families. Only God can heal and mend their broken spirits; and He will, in due time.
no where do i read that james holmes had any close friends, no girlfriend? Who knew this guy, this is the problem we are so BUSY that we never reach out and find out what's going on with those around us and them there s a time bomb that goes off and them everyone is left standing why. I BET he was into pornography or watching bad stuff it takes you away from PEOPLE and community thats why i think Africans are so healthy lol. UBUNTU in Colombine it was the same things these guys were ignored by their parents and were social outcasts the one girl who was marytred Rachel was a christian and actually reached out to the strange people at school. that movie heathers was about that it was demonic but true people reject others and they go and try to get attention the wrong way. Why is there NO one who cared enough to find out what was up with this man his mom KNEW it was him so she probably knew something was wrong along time ago, We are our brothers keepers not saying it will change but at least some one would have known what the probably was. you know its silly but he probably just needed a girlfriend. i know killing 72 people is no excuse but its amazing what people will do just to be heard and listened to.