President Obama addressed the nation and world Friday afternoon, speaking in response to the attack Thursday evening in Nice, France that has left at least 87 dead, including several children.
The State Department confirmed Friday morning that two Americans were killed in the attack. Family members have identified the two as 51-year-old Sean Copeland of Texas and his 11-year-old son, Brodie.
"Obviously, we come here with heavier hearts than normal,” Obama began his remarks. “Overnight in Nice, we witnessed another tragic and appalling attack on the freedom and the peace that we cherish. Today, our hearts are with the people of France and with all the innocent men, women, and so many children who were hurt or killed in this sickening attack."
"Today, our hearts are with the people of France and with all the innocent men, women and children" ?@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 15, 2016
"We will not be deterred,” he continued. “We will not relent. We're going to keep working together to prevent attacks and defend our homeland. We're going to keep taking out ISIL leaders, and pushing ISIL back in Syria and Iraq. We're going to keep standing with our partners from Africa to Afghanistan, and we are going to destroy this vile terrorist organization."