WASHINGTON--In the wake of the tragic shooting at a Connecticut school, President Barack Obama said Friday,
"As a country, we've been through this too many times, and we're going to have to take meaningful action, regardless of the politics."

Obama, who spoke with emotional pauses--at times dabbing his eyes-- said, "We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years, and each time I learn the news, I react the not as a president but as anybody would, as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there's not a parent in America who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.

"The majority of those who died today were children, beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own.

"Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

"So our hearts are broken today -- for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost," he said,

Obama said he spoke with Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy about the shootings. Connecticut police said in all 27 people died: 20 children, six adults and the shooter.

Obama also talked to FBI Director Robert Mueller.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Obama in the Oval Office at 10:30 a.m. when he was notified by Homeland Security adviser, John Brennan about the killings in shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.