UNDATED (AP) -- Leaders of two of the closest longtime allies of the United States have joined President Barack Obama in sympathy over a shooting rampage that left 26 people dead, including 20 children, at a Connecticut elementary school.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement Saturday that her country shares America's shock at what she called "this senseless and incomprehensible act of evil."

British Prime Minister David Cameron said that he was "shocked and deeply saddened" and that he found it "heartbreaking" to think of those who lost such young children.

A tearful Obama said that as a father, he's grieving for the victims. During White House remarks, Obama wiped his eyes and had to pause for several seconds to keep his composure. He said, "Our hearts are broken today" over the deaths of "beautiful, little kids" who "had their entire lives ahead of them."

AP-WF-12-15-12 0923GMT