The deadly shooting that took place Friday midnight in Colorado briefly put a silence to the presidential campaigns for President Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Both candidates cut their schedules short on Friday and pulled all their advertising from the state.

On Saturday, Obama said during his weekly Internet and radio address that he hoped Americans would take extra time during the weekend to pray and reflect for all 12 murder victims and their families of the terrible tragedy. He also said everyone in the country should think about the less publicized violent acts that are becoming a plague in communities everywhere.

Both Romney and Obama used appearance for their campaigns on Friday to tell supporters and listeners that the country needs to focus on national unity following the tragic massacre that took place in Aurora, Colorado where 12 people lost their lives and dozens more were wounded. Campaign heads for both candidates changed their schedules for Sunday as well, which will provide for a pause in the campaign that has become more and more edgy.

Obama was ready to start another day of campaigning in Florida when word came out about the shooting. That prompted his campaign team to address the act of violence at a Fort Myers rally that had been previously scheduled and cancel an event scheduled for Orlando. Obama told listeners in Fort Myers that the shootings served to remind us how very fragile life is.

Romney also echoed the call for unity that Obama had expressed. At a previously scheduled rally in New Hampshire, he gave his condolences to all those who had their lives shattered in Aurora due to someone’s senseless evil ways.