Ryan holds moment of silence for Calif. shooting during tree lighting ceremony

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) paused the annual ceremony to light the Capitol Christmas tree to recognize the unfolding mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.

Authorities said Wednesday that at least 14 were dead and at least as many injured after as many as three gunmen opened fire at the Inland Regional Center, which serves people with developmental disabilities.

{mosads}”I just want to say that we are all thinking about the current and ongoing tragedy in California today,” Ryan said at the top of his remarks. “And I would like to have a brief moment of silence now for those who are affected.”

“Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers right now.”

Just a day earlier, the House conducted another moment of silence on the floor for the victims of the shooting last week at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Wednesday marked the first time Ryan had presided over the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the West Front Lawn. Anna DeVolld, a 10-year-old girl from Soldotna, Alaska, officially pressed the switch to light the tree imported from her state.