Newton School Shooting: Obama Addresses Nation, Near Tears (Video)

President Barack Obama delivered an emotional speech while addressing the nation about the tragic school shooting in Newton, Conn. on Friday, barely fighting back tears as he spoke.

Obama addressed the shooting -- which has reportedly left 26 victims dead -- as both a president and a parent.

"We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years, and each time I learn the news, I react not as a President, but as anyone else would -- as a parent. And that was especially true today," Obama said. "I know there's not a parent in America who does not feel the same overwhelming grief as I do."

"Our hearts are broken today," Obama added.

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Noting other recent shootings, such as the massacre at an Aurora, Colo. movie theater in July, Obama added, "as a country, we have been through this too many times."

Obama also emphasized the need to take action against the rash of shootings "regardless of the politics," in an apparent reference to the debate over gun control in America.

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The president ended his speech with a scripture quote, intoning, "May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of scripture, heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds."

Watch Obama's emotional speech in the video.

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