Obama Meets With Families of San Bernardino Shooting Victims
He described his meeting with them as "moving."
— -- President Obama described his meeting with the families of the victims of the San Bernardino mass shooting as "moving" because it was "representative of the country."
The president and his family made a stop in San Bernardino Friday before they traveled to Hawaii that evening for their Christmas vacation. Obama spoke at a classroom at Indian Springs High school after a nearly-three hour meeting with the families of the victims and first responders.
“It was moving for Michelle and myself in part because it was so representative of the country,” he said, noting the families came from every background and every faith.
The president said all the victims had been extraordinarily proud of the work they had been doing to keep people healthy. Of the families, he remarked: “They’re all representative of the strength and the unity and the love in this community.”
“We have to remind ourselves of the overwhelming good that exists out there,” he added.
The president also said despite the pain those affected were feeling, “they could not have been more inspiring and proud of their loved ones.”
“It was a reminder of what’s good in this country,” Obama said. “I hope that’s something that gives all Americans a sense of pride and a sense of hope of hope as we go into our celebrations of our faith and our families and our country.”
The Dec. 2 shooting at San Bernardino’s Inland Regional Center left 14 people dead and 22 injured. Suspects Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik were killed later that day in a shootout with police. The FBI has been investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Enrique Marquez, a friend and neighbor of Farook, was arrested Thursday and charged with “conspiring to provide material support to terrorists” and with making a “straw purchase” of the two rifles that were later used in the shootings.
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