President Barack Obama campaigning in Florida over the past two days, is scheduled to speak at Harbor Side Event Center in Fort Myers around 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
Obama was alerted early this morning to the mass shootings in Colorado and will address the tragedy in Aurora in remarks in Fort Myers.
The president issued the following statement on the shooting in Colorado:
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.
Obama, who was scheduled to address supporters in Orlando later today at Rollins College, has cancelled the event and will return to the White House.
Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama have also canceled their events today, in light of the tragedy.
Jay Carney, press secretary, told reporters that Obama, who spoke with the Mayor of Aurora, first wanted to be sure the shooting incident was over and “no more people were in danger,” then the president reacted as a parent.
According to Carney, “We do not believe at this point there was an apparent nexis to terrorism.”
