Photo captures moment Obama learned of Sandy Hook shootings

The President reacts as John Brennan briefs him on the details of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The President later said during a TV interview that this was the worst day of his Presidency. / Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

A new photo released by White House photographer Pete Souza depicts President Obama learning about the December 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School -- the day he has since called the worst of his presidency.

In the photo, posted to the White House flickr page, the president leans against the back of a couch in the Oval Office, eyes closed, while his chief counterterrorism adviser John Brennan briefs him on the details of the situation.

73 Photos

Most iconic White House photos of 2012

Twenty first-graders were killed at their school in Newtown, Connecticut, when 20-year-old Adam Lanza allegedly broke into the premises and opened fire. Six adults were killed in the attacks, and Lanza's mother was also shot dead in her bed not long beforehand. Upon the entrance of the cops at Sandy Hook Elementary, Lanza is believed to have turned the gun on himself.

[littlemjs]

This is how and where Obama feels the most comfortable..in pictures and teleprompted. He is least comfortable when he has to be spontaneous. That's why he has held very few press conferences at the white house. His face very easily reveals his annoyance and impatience when his actions and ideas are challenged. That being said, I will give him Kudos for his emotional speech after the Sandy Hook shootings. It was the first time, I felt his reaction wasn't "sterile" or "plastic". To me...whenever he speaks, he always has an annoyed look on his face.....and seems to be lecturing. Like a parent....minus the wagging finger!

[catmomtx]

So you really think that the President actually posed for this picture? You people come up with some of the mos stupid things to whine about.

[THGdriver2]

The shame of the whole staged Photo is it was not necessary. Nobody thinks Nobama burst out in laughter on hearing the awful news. Just more of the same stupid staged cringe when he pretended he just found out about the attacks in Benghazi.

Some are blaming God for not intervening at the school. They have to remember it's not his fault, God is not allowed in schools anymore.

[catmomtx]

So you know this photo was staged because? How ignorant can you people be. A candid picture of the President is taken by the official White House photographer and you ignorant, pathetic people are on here complainig that it is a staged picture as you let everyone know exactly how the President is really feeling? My goodness you people are good. It's a wonder you all didn't run for Presiodent.

[hypnotoad72]

So, like they did for Bush on 9/11, some photo guy is standing there just waiting for something big to happen?

That must be a boring, high-paying job since few people would want to be ever-so-bored having to remain so conscious as to get that facial expression the nanosecond the news is broken...

Or it's a photo-op.

[Type_Z]

With people I care about, I try not to do or say things I know will upset them.

For example, I could say to my husband, Remember the night your sister called to tell us your Mom was in a motorcycle accident? I wouldn't do that because it takes you straight to a scary and vulnerable moment.

I feel this photo plays on those emotions. It took me back to those moments and reliving the horror, the fear, the sadness. I feel it was inflammatory, to remind people, to raise those emotions at the same time gun bills have introduced. I don't care when it was taken, I do feel Obama's tears were real that day he spoke. ( that's saying a lot coming from me since I don't see him as a sincere type of person in most instances ).

This photo, this article, does nothing but take me back to a very very sad place. I believe that was the intent and I ask why. We haven't forgot. We are trying to find answers.

[catmomtx]

This picture makes you see that the President really cares and really felt emotional about this incident. It makes you see that he is a normal human being not the horrible monster,Muslim Marxist, communist, dictator Chicago thug trying to destroy the country, evil black man that Republicans want the people in this country to think he is.

This photo is no different than any other sad photos that the White House photographers have taken over the years.

[CompassionateProgressive]

The picture above is the story. I am really disappointed in the rhetoric being displayed in these comments. The horrific tragedy of Sandy Hook should be a time for everyone to recognize the problems we all face. Instead of calling names and getting completely off the subject, our President reacted to this tragedy as a caring humane being. I don't understand why others can't show the same respect and compassion. Shame on all of you.

[Type_Z]

The problem is to many, no matter the situation, some don't find the President trustworthy. Some see him as not having integrity. Questioning the Presidents intent, when some are suspcious is part of what makes our country work. It goes for all parties and is done by all parties. It's that check and balance.

[catmomtx]

In other words, some just don't trust that a black man is capable of running the country even though it was a white man that screwed it up, right?

[citizenstakecontrol]

If you had a picture of me when I first learned of the tragedy.....I would be seen at the computer, online ordering High-capacity magazines and Ar-15's......I knew this would be a tipping-point of sorts in the gun legislation discussion.......

I hit the nail on the head....there has been a rush on AR-15's and high capacity magazines that I have never seen before in the aftermath of the shooting....This is nothing compared to 1994 When Bill Clinton hood winked everyone in Congress to pass the last ban......

[bluejacket2-2009]

THe photo is real... whatever, Obama has won two elections in a row, I would say the dude rules and can do whatever he wants... The power he has is so intense I have to laugh when thinking of the tea pots around here.... lol

Suck it up tea party, Omama Rules!!!!!

[cubscout09]

You have absolutely no clue how many eecutive orders GWBush signed, do you. My favorite was the one where GWB instructed the SEC not to investigate the Banks behind the housing bubble unless they had already been determined to be guilty. Priceless!

[jayman1111]

HERE A PICTURE FOR YA: THINK OBAMA BODY SURFING IN HAWAII TO THE COST OF 20 MILLION DOLLARS! DON'T BELIEVE ME READ THE NEWS FOR YOURSELF.

HE IS SO WORTH IT BECAUSE HE "CARES" FOR US LITTLE PEOPLE.
PEACE

[DWileyOne]

So it's okay for Bush Senior and Bush Junior to go hunting and golfing on their Christmas holidays. It's okay for Reagan to go golfing, Nixon to go fishing ... BUT IT'S NOT OKAY FOR OBAMA TO GO BODYSURFING??? REALLY!?!?!? You stupid bigot.

[jayman1111]

OBAMA THINKS: "never let a crisis go to waste" !!

[DWileyOne]

Here's a caption for ya ... Bush Junior receiving the news about 9/11: "My presidential legacy is saved."

[jimatmadison]

I am very grateful to have a President who is a genuine, caring human being.

To all of you taking the time to spout off about your own hatred and shortcomings, in the immortal words of John Boehner, go ef yourself.

[Type_Z]

He cares about 1/2 of the country. He says the rich are evil (unless they are liberals of course or HollyWood).

He tells "minority" groups they need the government to protect them and hold them up. Can't do anything without him? Well guess what, life is tough. It is hard and one must work hard, sometimes just to get by.

[michaelz06]

are you really that naive?