(Image: Carolyn Kaster/AP)

UNITED STATES PRESIDENT Barack Obama delivered an emotional address this evening following news of the death of at least 27 people, including 20 children at a school in Connecticut.

Obama said the country has faced “too many of these tragedies” and that he reacted “not as a President, but as anyone else would, as a parent.”

The US President paused during his address to wipe away his tears as he spoke of the “overwhelming grief” parents around the country are feeling.

“Nothing can fill the space of a lost child or a loved one,” he said. “They had their whole lives ahead of them”.

He said he and his wife Michelle will hold their children a little tighter tonght “and tell that we love them and remind each other how deeply we love each other.”

“Our hearts are broken today,” the President said.

Obama said the country’s leaders must “take meaningful action” regardless of politics in response to the mass shooting.

Shortly before his statement, Obama ordered that the US flag be flown at half-staff on public grounds.

Watch the full speech here:

(Youtube/whitehouse)