Obama shocked by Afghan shooting rampage

President Barack Obama

/ CBS

Updated 4:40 p.m. ET

(CBS News) President Barack Obama called the apparent murder of 16 Afghan civilians by an American soldier "tragic and shocking," and said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident and called Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to express his condolences. 

The president released a statement after a soldier allegedly opened fire in Kandahar province killing 16 Afghan civilians, including women and children. A soldier turned himself in and is in U.S. custody.

"This incident is tragic and shocking, and does not represent the exceptional character of our military and the respect that the United States has for the people of Afghanistan," the president said.

The president said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and General John Allen, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), have opened an investigation into the incident.

President Obama said the U.S. will "hold accountable anyone responsible" and that he offers "condolences to the families and loves who lost their lives, and to the people of Afghanistan, who have endured too much violence and suffering."

Jere van Dyk: What might Kandahar shootings mean for U.S.?

The soldier's deadly rampage comes at time when tensions are high and distrust of Americans is growing in Afghanistan. After U.S. soldiers burned copies of the Quran at Bagram Air Base last month, rioting erupted resulting in more than two dozen Afghan deaths and the killing of six Americans.

On CBS New' "Face the Nation," White House Correspondent Norah O'Donnell said the incident could amplify calls for a quicker withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

"I bet you'll see more of that this week from Democrats who say, 'Why are we in Afghanistan? It's time to leave.' And it's coming at a time when this discussion is underway about pulling forces out," O'Donnell said.

In 2011, President Obama began the withdrawal of U.S. troops, reducing the number from 100,000 to 68,000 by this fall.

Will Afghan killings speed up U.S. withdrawal?

Also on "Face the Nation," in response to a question by host Bob Schieffer on whether it was time for the U.S. to get out of Afghanistan, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said it is.

"We have to reassess the entire region," Gingrich said. "We need to understand that our being in the middle of countries like Afghanistan is probably counterproductive."

Gingrich: It's time to get out of Afghanistan

[oneslownewsday1]

Obama is really going to be shocked when an entire Division of soldiers with PTSD who thought he was going to bring them home shortly after he became president and broke his promise comes after him.
'Bad Boy Barry, Bad Boy Barry where you going to hide when they come for you'?

[noloyalisti]

Although quite smart, Obama is a little naive. We should never have done what we did there in the first place. What do we expect when we do massive state sponsored terror. And then try to prosecute people like Bradley Manning and Wikileaks for spilling the truth of the war crimes. Like Barbara Lee said so well, "Let us not become the evil we deplore". Whoops!

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

If the president should not express regret or apologize, than why did Reagan do it?
"July 3, 1988: President Reagan expresses regret to Iran over the U.S. downing of an Iranian passenger jet over the Persian Gulf that killed all 290 persons aboard."

[noloyalisti]

Only firm father figure Republicons never say they are wrong. Because they are the father, they are by definition always correct. Look at the arrogance of the ignorant, illegitimate, fictional president in crime George Bushoccio.

[credibility2]

I wonder had our president not groveled and bowed by apologizing to Karzai over the accidental burning of Korans (defaced with terrorist propaganda by Muslim extremists) and Karzaiand his entire Afghan government not even apologizing to us by saying one word when our six military personnel were assassinated more than likely led to this tragedy. Our president being "shocked" is phony outrage misplaced over gaining favor in the eyes of others. The guy that did this is on his fourth tour of duty. Doesn't anyone see something wrong with this? I say, immediately withdraw all of our troops and let these people continue living their tribal and uncivilized lives. We've wasted enough of our human and financial resources on them.

[catmomtx]

I wonder if these incidents had never happened we would have bringing our troops home proudly. Instead, the entire world is reading all of these nasty, negative, stupid comments criticizing, vilifying, blaming and disrespecting our President in a time of war. It was Republican mantra that it was un American, unpatriotic, and hating our troops when they even perceived a slight disagreement with George Bush during war. Now it's as if you people want something bad to happen just so you can justify your unreasonable hatred for our President. Way to go aiding and abetting the enemy just because you don't like President Obama. Way to go showing the world a divided country. Way to go giving Karzi and the Taliban propaganda to use against our country. You Obama haters really need to stop and think about the harm you all are doing to our country and the military. And guess what? Most of us are smart enough to NOT blame the President.

[starving1968-3]

by greta_olson March 12, 2012 9:35 AM EDT
How many more Barry Soetoro?






Who is Barry Soetoro?

[mecury69]

War is hell. Why would anyone be surprised, especially the Commander and Chief.

11 years of an open ended war will undoubtedly cause strain on a military and it's soldiers.

It's WAY past time to get out. Anyone thinking you can WIN Afghanistan militarily better get out their history books. The Russians invaded with 10 times the military equipment and men and got whooped. War is all theses Afghan men know and it's their homeland. They will fight to the death for a cave, will we? Hell no.

Al-Qaeda is defeated. Time to get out.

[karek40]

Peculiar, its tragic and shocking when an American soldier looses it and kills, however, I do not recall it being voiced being either tragic or shocking when a Muslim kills an American or Israel woman or child. How long will we allow this double standard before do something about it.

[JavMD]

so much for living up to your campaign promise to get us out ! (four years ago for those with short memory)..

tour after tour these soldiers are 'asked' to distinguish which person or group of people are shooting at them, planting land mines, that killed his buddy just yesterday...

Got to expect one killer to go off the deep end. Wife probably told him she is divorcing him, she couldn't take him going back to war over and over again.

[frankie2fing]

And your point?!? He committed MURDER. Here in the UNITED STATES, we find that abhorrent and unacceptable. What other countries do is not ours to dictate.
You TEABAGGERS, stop with the FALSE EQUIVULANCY.... You look like idiots.
Oh, HeII, who am I kidding, you ALWAYS look like idiots...

[nottblu]

It is interesting hearing the Afghans outrage classifying this terrible act as a savage crime against innocent civilians mostly women and children yet that is the exact method of barbarism practiced by the Taliban, Alqaeda, and numerous other terrorist organizations. If the level of "outrage" was universal for these acts there would be no terrorism yet it is apparent this double standard exists when it comes to our enemies.

[rainbowroosie]

Related article:
(CBS News) - A report published in Injury Prevention shows that suicide rates among U.S. Army personnel increased 80 percent between 2004 and 2008. Out of the 255 soldiers who had committed suicide between 2007 to 2008, 17 percent of the soldiers had previously been diagnosed with a mental health problem. Fifty percent had visited a health professional for a mental issue.

Think the force has systemic problems??

[JavMD]

what do u expect... training 'human' beings in a civilized world (USA) to 'kill'. Be nice in America but go ahead and kill overseas...

Its happening in the USA... Columbine, Chardon Ohio.. kids exposed to 'killing', playing Grand Theft Auto...

Yes, most (soldiers) and kids can differentiate between the situation but those with problems... BOOM