President Obama speaks on Colo. theater shooting

11:50 AM, Jul 20, 2012   |    comments
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (CNN) -- President Obama put aside politics at a pre-planned Florida campaign event Friday. Instead, the president centered his speech on the overnight movie theater massacre in Colorado that has garnered national attention.

An armed gunman opened fire in a theater in Aurora, killing 12 and wounding 38. The assailant reportedly appeared in the front of the theater and threw a tear gas canister before shooting.

Aurora police arrested a suspect, and identified him as 24-year-old James Holmes. After a moment of silence for the victims, the president shared this message with the Fort Myers crowd, "There are going to be other days for politics. This is, I think, a day for prayer and reflection."

Click the THVideo for his entire speech.

President Obama canceled a second event in Florida. Instead, he will return to D.C. A Colorado state court spokesman says Holmes is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

You can find out more on the shootings in a Colorado theater shooting special section.