In first comments on today's horrific shooting at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport in Florida, which left at least five people dead, President Obama said he is "heartbroken" for the families of the victims, ABC reported.
"I don't want to comment on it other than just to say how heartbroken we are for the families who've been affected," Obama told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive interview that will air Sunday on "This Week," when asked if the shooting was an act of terrorism.
The shooting at a baggage claim at the airport left eight other people injured before the suspected gunman was taken into custody, according to officials.
"These kinds of tragedies have happened too often during the years that I've been president," Obama said. "The pain, the grief, the shock that they must be going through is enormous."
He also said that he has asked his staff to reach out to the mayor to make sure efforts are coordinated between state and local officials.
"I think we'll find out over the next 24 hours exactly how this happened and what motivated this individual," Obama added.