Obama, Romney statements on Colorado movie theater shooting

CBS/AP

Updated 10:46 a.m. ET

(CBS News) Both President Obama and Mitt Romney will take a break from politics Friday and will address the Colorado movie theater shooting at their campaign events.

Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters, "The President will address the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado in shortened remarks" at his Ft Myers, Fla., event Friday morning.

Mr. Obama was also scheduled to hold a campaign event in Winter Park, Fla., later on Friday. The campaign told CBS News that event has been canceled.

Both First Lady Michelle Obama's and Ann Romney's scheduled events have been canceled.

Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in an email that the Republican candidate will address the shooting at his campaign event in Bow, N.H., though the campaign adds his event will not be a "typical campaign event" and he'll just be addressing the tragedy.

Meantime, the Obama campaign told CBS News that they have asked Colorado TV stations to stop running ads attacking Romney "for the time being." The campaign adds, "It takes time for stations to be able to do this, but we are making every effort."

The Romney campaign also said in an email that they're "pulling all ads in CO until further notice."

Bloomberg calls on Obama, Romney to talk gun control

Earlier Friday morning, President Obama made the following statement on the Colorado movie theater shooting:

"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."

And Mitt Romney made the following statement on Friday morning's shooting:

"Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief.  We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice."

Gov. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., released this statement:

"This is not only an act of extreme violence, it is also an act of depravity. It is beyond the power of words to fully express our sorrow this morning. Our prayers and condolences go first to the families of those killed, and we share the grief of everyone affected by this senseless event. We appreciate the swift work by local, state and federal law enforcement. Coloradans have a remarkable ability to support one another in times of crisis. This one of those times."

Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., released this statement:

"I am deeply saddened and outraged by these senseless and tragic shootings," Udall said. "My thoughts go out to the families and friends of those killed, and I am praying for a speedy recovery for those who were wounded. My staff and I are in close contact with officials on the ground and will offer any federal resources needed to investigate this terrible crime and bring those responsible to justice."

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said in a statement:

"This was horrible, senseless and abhorrent act. My family and I are shocked and deeply saddened this morning and our hearts are with the victims and their families. My staff and I are in contact with and offering our support to law enforcement and medical officials as they respond to the shooting."

Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., whose district includes Aurora, the site of the shooting, released this statement:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families in this senseless act of violence. I've lived in Aurora almost all of my life and nothing like this has ever happened here. This was the type of violence that I would have expected when I served in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps but never here at home."

[churchstate]

What happened to the separation of Church and State? Romney seems a person who lacks boundaries when it comes to proselytizing the teachings of his Latter Day Saints (LDS) faith. I was troubled by Romney's speech (reciting passes from the Book of Mormon, and the King James Bible), to the victims of the Colorado Shooting. Is this what the American public is to expect from Romney in the future as the President of the United States and the leader of the country who will frequently address the public? Romney's behavior during this situation reassures me he is not the man to lead this country. If he is one who cannot restrain himself from spewing the teachings of his faith, perhaps he is best suited to remain in a religious leadership position for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - The Mormons.

[churchstate]

What happened to the separation of Church and State? Romney seems a person who lacks boundaries when it comes to proselytizing the teachings of his Latter Day Saints (LDS) faith. I was troubled by Romney's speech (reciting passes from the Book of Mormon, and the King James Bible), to the victims of the Colorado Shooting. Is this what the American public is to expect from Romney in the future as the President of the United States and the leader of the country who will frequently address the public? Romney's behavior during this situation reassures me he is not the man to lead this country. If he is one who cannot restrain himself from spewing the teachings of his faith, perhaps he is best suited to remain in a religious leadership position for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - The Mormons.

[Zachpete]

I was appalled at the CBS news commentator covering the Aurora shooting he opinionated about gun control and then linked this shooting with Binghamton shooting and the Travon Martin shooting!!
The Travon Martin shooting happened while Martin attacked the Neighborhood watch security guard from behind, struggled to get the guards holstered legal gun from him, with the result he got fatally shot. How in God's name is that related to this slaughter? It is an outrage how the media slants and spins things!! This reporter went on to say "there were 70 casualties" in Aurora when 12 died. Incompetent, dangerous, and biased news reporting!!

[gerundive]

Evidently, James Holmes really took Rush Limbaugh's "Bane Rant" to heart. Listening to such wing-nuts can have disastrous consequences.

[sjc_1]

We have to get to the nut jobs that do this in the first place. Once you get to them early, you can keep them from derailing and killing others, that should be our objective.

[RevNowWhileWeCan]

One week before Obama and Hillary are supposed to sign the U.N. Small Arms Treaty? Coincidence?? Just this alone is very troubling indeed!

[venusvegasvada]

Sometimes people forget that no matter what political beliefs you have, at the end of the day, we are all on the same team. We all love our country and just want the best for it. If we all didn't care so much, we wouldn't fight so hard for things we believe in.

I don't think you'll find anyone that doesn't believe these events are horrifically wrong. No matter how many times we see it in the news and it gets desensitized, it's real. There are a lot of families that just lost people they loved for nothing. Pointless. Sad.

[Tangtastic]

Not really the time for all this political grandstanding. A lot of innocent people have just been killed. Have a heart for Christs sake.