Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said he is “appalled” by the shooting at the conservative Family Research Council in Washington.
“I am appalled by the shooting today at the offices of the Family Research Council in our nation’s capital,” he said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “There is no place for such violence in our society. My prayers go out to the wounded security guard and his family, as well as all the people at the Family Research Council whose sense of security has been shattered by today’s horrific events.”
Six hours after the shooting, President Obama said through a spokesman that “this type of violence has no place in our society.” The president also expressed concern for the victim, said White House press secretary Jay Carney.
An individual reportedly entered the building located in Chinatown posing as an intern, made comments about the organization’s positions on public policy issues and opened fire on a security guard. The shooter is in FBI custody; the guard was rushed to the hospital with a bullet wound in his arm. (RELATED: Security guard shot at Family Research Council headquarters)
This story is updated to include the president’s statement.