Trump dodges talk of gun laws in speech on Florida school shooting
President Donald Trump made a statement on Thursday in Washington on the deadly shooting in a Florida school.
The US president confirmed that 17 people died and 14 were badly wounded when a 19-year-old man, a former student, now in custody, opened fire at a high school campus in Parkland yesterday.
"Our entire nation with one heavy heart is praying for the victims and their families," he said, "we are here for you, whatever you need, whatever we can do to ease your pain."
"No child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school," he added.
Trump made no reference to guns and when journalist Jim Acosta asked "Mr President, why does this keep happening to America," he reportedly did not respond except to say "thank you".
Twitter users pointed out his failure to broach the subject in his address.
This was the deadliest school shooting in the US since 26 people were killed in 2012 at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut.
The US leader's earlier public comment on Twitter was criticised by a user who was believed to be a student caught up in the incident.
She urged him to introduce gun control measures instead of offering platitudes.
Watch the full press conference back here.