Washington: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle lit 26 candles and observed a moment of silence on Saturday in honor of the victims of last year's shooting at an elementary school.
Exactly one year ago, on December 14, 2012, a heavily armed man, later identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, entered the school in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire with devastating effect.
In 10 minutes he killed 20 first graders and six teachers and staff before taking his own life. He had also shot his mother dead earlier that morning.
Wearing black, the Obamas somberly lit candles in the White House map room for each victim of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting. They stood silently for several moments and then walked out without making any remarks.
However, church bells rang 26 times in the town in memory of the victims and flags were at half mast across the state of Connecticut, at the request of Governor Dannel Malloy.
The events aimed "to show our resolve to never be silent again about gun violence," the groups said in a statement.
"One year ago today, a quiet, peaceful town was shattered by unspeakable violence," Obama said.
"We have to do everything we can to protect our children from harm and make them feel loved, and valued, and cared for."
But the nationwide measures the president supported failed in the US Senate in April, due to fierce opposition from gun rights supporters and a lack of support in both houses of Congress.
On Saturday, most major media organizations stayed away from Newtown, in respect of the town's wishes.
"We've reported a number of stories already -- all in a low-key, respectful manner -- and they'll run in conjunction with the anniversary. We do not plan to be in Newtown on the 14th," said New York Times communications director Eileen Murphy. Other news agencies made similar remarks.
On Friday, the eve of the Sandy Hook anniversary, a schoolboy in Colorado armed with a shotgun opened fire at his high school and wounded two fellow students -- one critically -- before killing himself.
The Arapahoe High School shooting took place a few miles from the sites of last year's Aurora cinema shooting, where 12 people were killed and scores wounded during a Batman movie screening, and the 1999 Columbine High School bloodbath, where 13 were killed as well as the two student gunmen.
Exactly one year ago, on December 14, 2012, a heavily armed man, later identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, entered the school in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire with devastating effect.
In 10 minutes he killed 20 first graders and six teachers and staff before taking his own life. He had also shot his mother dead earlier that morning.
Wearing black, the Obamas somberly lit candles in the White House map room for each victim of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting. They stood silently for several moments and then walked out without making any remarks.
Advertisement
However, church bells rang 26 times in the town in memory of the victims and flags were at half mast across the state of Connecticut, at the request of Governor Dannel Malloy.
Advertisement
The events aimed "to show our resolve to never be silent again about gun violence," the groups said in a statement.
Advertisement
"One year ago today, a quiet, peaceful town was shattered by unspeakable violence," Obama said.
Advertisement
"We have to do everything we can to protect our children from harm and make them feel loved, and valued, and cared for."
Advertisement
But the nationwide measures the president supported failed in the US Senate in April, due to fierce opposition from gun rights supporters and a lack of support in both houses of Congress.
On Saturday, most major media organizations stayed away from Newtown, in respect of the town's wishes.
"We've reported a number of stories already -- all in a low-key, respectful manner -- and they'll run in conjunction with the anniversary. We do not plan to be in Newtown on the 14th," said New York Times communications director Eileen Murphy. Other news agencies made similar remarks.
On Friday, the eve of the Sandy Hook anniversary, a schoolboy in Colorado armed with a shotgun opened fire at his high school and wounded two fellow students -- one critically -- before killing himself.
The Arapahoe High School shooting took place a few miles from the sites of last year's Aurora cinema shooting, where 12 people were killed and scores wounded during a Batman movie screening, and the 1999 Columbine High School bloodbath, where 13 were killed as well as the two student gunmen.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Joe Biden To Serve Full Second Term If Re-Elected: White House What White House Said On Parkinson's Doctor Visiting 8 Times In 8 Months "Run Against Me": Defiant Biden Digs In, Challenges Critics Within Party What Trump Rally Shooter Did On Last Day Of His Life Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Anand Mahindra Shares Picture Of US Senator's Indian Wedding, Calls It... Elon Musk To Move Companies Out Of California Over Transgender Law Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.