Obama 'shocked' by shooting in NY State

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-04 13:59

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday that he was shocked and saddened by a shooting in an immigration office in Binghamton, New York State killing 13 persons, according to the White House.

"Michelle and I were shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the act of senseless violence in Binghamton, New York today," said the president who is continuing his tour in Europe.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the people of Binghamton," he said in the statement. "We don't yet know all the facts, but my administration is actively monitoring the situation and the Vice President is in touch with governor David Paterson and local officials to track development."

An 42-year-old gunman from Upstate New York entered the building of the American Civic Association, which provides services for immigrants and refugees, and started shooting at people inside.

Latest official statement said that 13 people, including the gunman who seemed to have killed himself after the shooting, were confirmed dead in the attack, while five others were in local hospitals with gunshot wounds.

At hearing the deadly shooting, Vice President Joe Biden, who was in Manhattan, New York City, said: "It's time that we've got to figure a way to deal with this senseless, senseless violence."

It was the third shooting incident since last weekend in the U.S..

A gunman waged a shooting spree a nursing home in Carthage, North Carolina on Sunday morning, killing eight and injuring three others. Another case in a townhouse in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday night left six dead, including two children.