“We don’t know yet why this individual did what he did, and it’s fair to say that anybody who does this, has a sickness in their minds – regardless of what they think their motivations may be”, Obama said.
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“Somebody, somewhere will comment and say ‘Obama politicized this issue.’ Well, this is something we should politicize – it is relevant to our common life together”, Obama said.
“The shooter… told people to get on the ground”. According to Moore, the gunman told people to stand up and state their religion before opening fire.
Another 20 were wounded in the shooting.
Joe Olson, the former president of the college, said it has only one unarmed security officer on duty at any time.
Law enforcement have blocked all access to the college via Umpqua College Road, with ambulances and buses leaving while local, state and federal law enforcement officers have continued to arrive.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown quickly tweeted her condolences: “My thoughts are with the families and victims of today’s tragedy”.
Authorities believe the gunman was familiar with the college and the building.
Earlier, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum had said 13 people were killed.
The sheriff’s office in Douglas County, which includes Roseburg, told CBS News that the threat was over but would not comment on the condition of the gunman.
At least 13 of the individuals who were shot have reportedly died. His father sold cars in the community for about 20 years.
Hanlin would not confirm whether the shootings occurred in Snyder Hall.
Hours after the attack, a visibly angry President Barack Obama spoke to reporters, saying the USA is becoming numb to mass shootings and that the shooters have “sickness” in their minds. At his request, he’ll continue to receive updates throughout the day.
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley says he’s “absolutely heartbroken” about the shooting.
Local officials said the gunman had been detained.
The massacre is the latest in a series of mass shootings at US college campuses, movie theaters, military bases and churches in recent years.
He praised the work of the first responders.
However, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin later revised the death toll to 10.
There have been 294 mass shootings in the last 274 days.
Students at the scene of the UCC shooting.
Roseburg is about 180 miles south of Portland.
The college has about 3,000 students.
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A picturesque campus in the North Umpqua River Valley on Interstate 5, the school prides itself on a “a peaceful, safe atmosphere, and year-round recreational activities”, according to its website.
