Crowds gathered on Sunday to honor the victims of the attack. (Shannon Stapleton / Reuters)

Tragedy in Colorado

The President speaks with families of victims after a deadly shooting in Colorado.

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TOP PHOTO: President Obama comforted Allie and Stephanie, two survivors of the tragedy. (Rex Features via AP Images)

BOTTOM PHOTO: Community members came together at a vigil to remember those who lost their lives on Friday. (Ted S. Warren / AP Images)

MAP: The shooting took place in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. (Jim McMahon)

President Barack Obama flew to Colorado on Sunday to visit victims of a deadly shooting that occurred on Friday and their families.

“I came to them not so much as President as I do as a father and a husband,” Obama said. “My main task was to serve as a representative of the entire country and let them know that we are thinking about them at this moment, and we will continue to think about them each and every day.”

Obama traveled to Aurora, Colorado, after a deadly shooting took place in a movie theater there last week. Twelve people were pronounced dead after the attack, and many more were injured. Police and rescue workers responded quickly. The suspected shooter was arrested, and medical personnel were able to help many who were hurt.

The President visited with survivors and their families at the University of Colorado Hospital. There, he says, he learned a lot about bravery and courage. He met two friends, Stephanie and Allie, who were in the theater during the shooting. Stephanie helped save her friend’s life by tending to Allie’s wound when she was hurt.

“Because of Stephanie’s timely actions, I just had a conversation with Allie downstairs, and she is going to be fine,” Obama said.

Crowds also gathered on Sunday for a vigil outside the theater where the shooting took place. A vigil is when a group of people prays or mourns together for a person or persons involved in a tragic event. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper read a list of those who died in the attack. After each name, the crowd said together, “We will remember.”

This kind of public violence is extremely rare, and it's impossible to know why the suspect did such a terrible thing. But government officials are working hard to make sure everyone stays safe after the attack.

PARENT RESOURCES

Below are links to information from child development experts about how best to talk with kids about violent events.

Talking to Your Kids About Natural Disasters, War, and Violence

Talking to Children About Community Violence

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