W.Va. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin: "As parents, Joanne and I are deeply saddened today by the news of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This is a tragic and senseless act. We ask all West Virginians to keep these families and this community in your thoughts and prayers during the very difficult days ahead."
Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell: "It is with a heavy heart and the deepest of sympathies that I learned earlier today of the horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those impacted by the events transpiring today, and to the teachers, emergency responders, and all others touched by this tragedy. Unfortunately, Virginia has our own painful memories of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007. Those memories will never fade, and we continue to grieve for all those lost on that April day. We are all too aware of the impact that events like this can have on a community. If there is anything Virginia can do to assist Governor Malloy and the citizens of Connecticut, we stand ready to do so."
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.): "As parents and grandparents, Gayle and I can't begin to imagine the pain and grief the families must be going through. All we can do – along with all West Virginians – is offer our thoughts and prayers that the families can find some peace and comfort within themselves, from each other, their communities, this nation and from God above."
Sen.-elect Tim Kaine (D-Va.): "Words fail to express the profound sadness I feel for the families of those who were lost and those who will carry the scars of this tragedy. Our Commonwealth knows too well the pain of senseless gun violence. Like all Virginians, Anne and I offer our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to the community of Newtown."
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.): "West Virginia joins the nation in mourning those lost – and grieving for their families and the entire Newtown community. There is nothing more tragic than the loss of a child, and today's events are simply unimaginable – and entirely senseless. Sharon and I join in sending our earnest prayers and heartfelt condolences to Connecticut."
