US News

Obama says US is ‘still grieving’ over Arizona shooting, praises courage of witnesses

President Obama said Monday that the nation is “still grieving” over the shooting rampage in Arizona Saturday that killed six people and critically injured a congresswoman.

“Obviously, all of us are still grieving and in shock from the tragedy that took place,” Obama said in an Oval Office meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

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“Gabby Giffords and others are still fighting to recover, families are still absorbing the enormity of their losses, we have a criminal investigation that is ongoing and charges that no doubt will be brought against the perpetrator of this heinous crime,” the president said.

But Obama said Americans should also focus on the “extraordinary courage” of the people at the scene of the shooting, citing the intern who came to the congresswoman’s aid, the woman who secured the gunman’s ammunition and the people who tackled the shooter.

“Part of what I think that speaks to is the best of America, even in the face of such mindless violence,” Obama said, adding that he was focused on “making sure that we’re joining together and pulling together as a country.”

Earlier Monday, Obama led the nation in a national moment of silence on the White House lawn for the victims of the shooting in Tucson. The president signed a proclamation Sunday, calling for flags to be flown at half-staff at all federal sites until Jan. 14 in recognition of the tragedy.

Jared Lee Loughner, a 22-year-old troubled loner, was charged Sunday in a five-count criminal complaint in the shooting of Giffords, who remains in critical condition but can communicate with doctors through basic commands. He has been charged with attempting to kill a member of Congress, two counts of murder in the first degree and two counts of attempted murder.

Those killed were identified as John Roll, 63, a federal district court judge; Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, one of Gifford’s aides; Christina Greene, nine, an elementary school student; Dorwin Stoddard, 76, who attended the event with his wife Mavy, who was injured; Dorothy Morris, 76, who moved to Oro Valley, Ariz. with her husband George, who was hospitalized with a gunshot wound; and Phyllis Scheck, 79, a widow who spent winters in Tucson.