US presidential race pauses after deadly shooting

President Barack Obama gets a high-five as he greets children outside the Kozy Corner diner in Oak Harbour, Ohio, Thursday, July 5, 2012. Obama is on a two-day bus trip through Ohio and Pennsylvania. AP FILE PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH

WASHINGTON—The deadly shooting spree in Colorado consumed the US presidential campaign Friday, sidetracking a bitter political contest with a tragedy that at least temporarily brought the candidates together in common purpose.

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney altered their campaign schedules to address the killings. Both issued statements of condolences, calling for prayer and unity in the aftermath of the overnight bloodshed at a suburban Denver movie theater.

Obama canceled a Florida appearance and was returning to Washington ahead of schedule. Romney was to address the matter at a previously scheduled campaign event in New Hampshire. He canceled some media interviews.

Obama was notified about the incident early Friday by his counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan. The White House said there was no apparent connection to terrorism.