View 47 more
President Barack Obama speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama commented on the Washington Navy Yard shooting. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama commented on the Washington Navy Yard shooting. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama arrives to speak in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama commented on the Washington Navy Yard shooting. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington, about the Washington Navy Yard shooting. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks about the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard during a event on the economy in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama walks out before speaking in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama commented on the Washington Navy Yard shooting. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama arrives to speak in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama spoke on the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, mourning what he called "ye Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama spoke on the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, mourning what he called Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter continues a search pattern above the scene of a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013 in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning, an Evan Vucci, Associated Press
View 47 more
Police boats and a U.S. Park Police helicopter are seen on the scene of a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013 in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard and officials said severa Evan Vucci, Associated Press
View 47 more
Law enforcement personnel are seen outside the gate into the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning, and officials said several people wer Susan Walsh, Associated Press
View 47 more
Law enforcement personnel gather outside the gate of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning. Susan Walsh, Associated Press
View 47 more
People hold their hands to their heads as they are escorted out of the building where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
U.S. Capitol Police personnel keep watch on the East front of the Capitol as the investigation continues to the shooting at the nearby Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Was J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press
View 47 more
U.S. Capitol Police personnel keep watch on the East Plaza of the Capitol as the investigation continues to the shooting at the nearby Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Was J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over a building at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. President Barack Obama is mourning what he called "yet another mass shooting" in the United States that he says took the life of America Susan Walsh, Associated Press
View 47 more
U.S. Capitol Police personnel keep watch on the East Plaza of the Capitol as the investigation continues to the shooting at the nearby Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Was J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press
View 47 more
President Barack Obama arrives to speak in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. Before speaking about the economy Obama commented on the Navy Yard shooting. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 47 more
Dr. Janis M. Orlowski, chief operating officer at Washington Hospital Center speaks at a news conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, about the conditions of the people who were brought to the hospital from the shooting at the Washington Navy Ya Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
View 47 more
Dr. Janis M. Orlowski, chief operating officer at Washington Hospital Center speaks at a news conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, about the conditions of the people who were brought to the hospital from the shooting at the Washington Navy Ya Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
View 47 more
A police boat and helicopter patrol near the scene of a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard, and officials said six people were killed Evan Vucci, Associated Press
View 47 more
Security personnel respond near the Washington Navy Yard where a gunman was reported in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning, and officials said six people w Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press
View 47 more
Dr. Janis M. Orlowski, chief operating officer at Washington Hospital Center speaks at a news conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, about the conditions of the people who were brought to the hospital from the shooting at the Washington Navy Ya Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
View 47 more
Members of the military guard a military garage near the Washington Navy Yard where a gunman was reported in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The exact number of people killed and the conditions of those wounded was not immediately known. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
A man is airlifted from the top of a building inside the Washington Navy Yard after a gunman was reported at the Navy Yard in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The exact number of people killed and the conditions of those wounded was not immediately Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
A helicopter that has been airlifting people from the top of a building at the Washington Navy Yard circles the area after a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The exact number of people killed and th Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
Police bring in equipment by an anchor outside of an entrance to the Washington Navy Yard where a gunman was reported in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The exact number of people killed and the conditions of those wounded was not immediately known Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
A police boat patrols near the scene of a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
Police work the scene on M Street, SE in Washington, where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The U.S. Navy says one person is injured after a shooting at a Navy building in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
Police work the scene on M Street, SE in Washington near the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The U.S. Navy says one person is injured after a shooting at a Navy building in Washington. Police and emergency crews gathered Monday morning out Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Navy said it was searching for an active shooter at the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters, where about 3,000 p Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Navy said it was searching for an active shooter at the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters, where about 3,000 Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Navy said it was searching for an active shooter at the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters, where about 3,000 Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
Police work the scene on M Street S.E. in Washington, where a gunman was reported in a military building at the Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Shots have been fired and employees directed to a shelter. Police and federal agents from multiple Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
View 47 more
EDITORS: AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE PHOTOS TRANSMITTED AS NYKS101-102 OF SEPT 16, 2013: Please be advised that the Associated Press is further investigating the details in these photos, which show people tending to a person lying on a sidewalk near the ar Don Andres, AP
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter with a person in the rescue basket, flies over a building at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning. (AP Susan Walsh, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over a building at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning, (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
District of Columbia Police Chief Cathy Lanier briefs reporters on the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, where at least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, AP
View 47 more
An officer stands near the gate of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, after a gunman opened fire. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, AP
View 47 more
People hold their hands to their heads as they are escorted out of the building where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Jacquelyn Martin, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
Law enforcement personnel gather outside the gate of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, AP
View 47 more
U.S. Capitol Police personnel keep watch at the Constitution Avenue entrance to the East Plaza of the Capitol as the investigation continues at the nearby high-security Washington Navy Yard where a gunman went on a shooting rampage, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013 J. Scott Applewhite, AP
View 47 more
District of Columbia Police Chief Cathy Lanier briefs reporters on the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Standing to the right of Lanier is District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray. At least one gunman opened fire Susan Walsh, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray briefs reporters on the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning. (AP Photo/Susan Wa Susan Walsh, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
A U.S. Capitol Police armored vehicle patrols the East Plaza of the Capitol in front of the Senate as the investigation continues at the nearby high-security Washington Navy Yard where gunmen went on a shooting rampage, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washingt J. Scott Applewhite, AP
View 47 more
Security personnel respond near the Washington Navy Yard where a gunman was reported in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning, and officials said six people w Manuel Balce Ceneta, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
Armed police prepare to enter the Washington Navy Yard as they respond to a shooting in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. At least one gunman opened fire inside a building at the Navy yard. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta, ASSOCIATED PRESS
View 47 more
Law enforcement personnel walk through a gate into the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, after at least one gunman opening fire. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, AP
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is mourning what he calls "yet another mass shooting" in the United States that took the life of what he says were American patriots.

Obama promised to make sure, quote, "whoever carried out this cowardly act is held responsible."

Authorities said at least 12 people were killed in a shooting rampage Monday at the Washington Navy Yard about 3 1/2 miles from the White House.

Obama said the victims were "courageous Americans" who knew about the risks of serving overseas, but wouldn't have expected such "unimaginable violence" at home.

View Comments

The White House said the president has been receiving frequent briefings about the unfolding situation by senior aides. He also telephoned Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to express his condolences to families and colleagues of the victims.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.