Obama calls for ‘meaningful action’ after Connecticut school shooting

A visibly moved President Barack Obama told reporters today that he grieved about the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school as a parent first and promised action to prevent such tragedies again, without specifying what that might be. Speaking on behalf of the nation, Obama said, “Our hearts are broken today.” The scene in the White House briefing room was one of the most outwardly emotional moments of his presidency. “The majority of those who died were children—beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old,” Obama said. He paused, then and later in the talk, for several seconds to keep his composure and wipe an eye. Nearby, two aides cried and held hands as they listened to the president. A gunman opened fire inside an elementary school where his mother worked, killing at least 26 people, including 20 children. The shooter blasted his way through the building as young students cowered helplessly or were gunned down.