President Obama condemned the “cowardly, evil attack” that left 12 people dead in Paris on Wednesday, vowing to help “hunt down” and “bring to justice” those responsible for the massacre.
“For us to see the kind of cowardly, evil attack that took place today, I think reinforces why it is so important for us to stand in solidarity with [France],” Obama said from the Oval Office, joined by Vice President Joe Biden.
Earlier Wednesday, masked gunmen stormed the office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, opening fire in the Paris building. The French government has since raised the terror alert to the highest level, as the suspects remain at large.
Obama called the violent episode an “attack on our free press” and said it proved that the U.S. and its allies must be vigilant in rooting out terrorist networks.
“These kinds of attacks can happen anywhere in the world,” Obama warned.
The Obama administration has offered assistance to the French government in the investigation. Authorities have not identified potential suspects, but say the shootings appear to be retribution for satirical cartoons published about the Prophet Muhammad and Muslim extremists.
The gunmen killed at least 10 journalists and two police officers.
Obama is expected to stick to his schedule Wednesday, traveling to Detroit to promote the improving auto industry.
