President Obama calls for moment of silence for victims of Arizona mass shooting

[News_Editor]

President Obama calls for moment of silence for victims of Arizona mass shooting

2011-01-10 03:20:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUCSON, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday called on Americans to observe a moment of silence on Monday to honor the victims of a mass shooting in Arizona on Saturday, the White House said.

The shooting happened just after 10 a.m. MST at a supermarket in northwest Tucson on Saturday where Giffords was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner" of the year. A gunman, identified as 22-year-old Jared Loughner, opened fire, killing six people and injuring 14 others.

Among the fatalities were 9-year-old Christina Greene and U.S. District Judge John Roll. U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who appears to have been the target, was critically injured as a result of a gunshot wound to her head.

"Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives," Obama said in a statement released by the White House. "It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart."

Obama also signed a proclamation to order that the U.S. flag shall be flown at half-staff until sunset Friday at the White House and all other public, federal and military buildings. The order also applied to all U.S. embassies and other U.S. facilities worldwide.

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