President Barack Obama today expressed his sympathy and that of the nation for the families of the four Marines shot to death this morning at military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“My main message right now is, obviously, the deepest sympathies of the American people to the four Marines that have been killed,” the president said in a statement. “It is a heartbreaking circumstance for these individuals who have served our country with great valor to be killed in this fashion.
“And although the families are still in the process of being contacted,” he continued, “I want them to know that I speak for the American people in expressing our deepest condolences, and knowing that they have our full support as they try to overcome the grief that's involved here.”
The White House has been in contact with the Defense Department to make sure defense facilities are properly attentive and vigilant as officials sort through exactly what happened, Obama said.
The president asked all Americans to pray for the Marines’ families. “And I want everybody to understand that we will be thorough and prompt in figuring out exactly what happened,” he added.