UPDATE: White House Responds to Terror Attack in France

Daniel Doherty | January 07, 2015 9:50 AM

President Obama has issued a statement about the unspeakable atrocity carried out at a French Magazine in Paris earlier today:

I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time. France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world. Time and again, the French people have stood up for the universal values that generations of our people have defended. France, and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place, offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers. We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, however, clarified his boss' statement:

Earnest says French attack was an act of terror, but says WH is waiting on what the motivation was.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) January 7, 2015

UPDATE: Three terrorists are responsible:

PARIS (@AP) - France's top security official confirms 3 gunmen carried out deadly attack on French paper.
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 7, 2015

This has been confirmed. And by the way, these perpetrators are terrorists, according to French President Francois Hollande:

French President Francois Hollande branded the attack an act of terrorism and claimed that several other potential terror attacks had been thwarted "in recent weeks." Hollande added that the publication had been threatened in the past and was already under police protection and surveillance.

“This is a terrorist attack, there is no doubt about it,” Hollande told reporters.

UPDATE: A smart precaution.