Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images.

One year ago today, 34-year-old Aaron Alexis walked into the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command in the Navy Yard and shot and killed 12 people.

Like any mass shooting, the tragedy was unthinkable and horrific. Today, on the anniversary of the shooting, President Barack Obama issued a statement reminding Americans that “as we remember men and women taken from us so senselessly, we keep close their family and friends, stand with survivors who continue to heal and pay tribute to the first responders who acted with skill and bravery.”

Obama also mentioned the need to “[renew] our call for common-sense reforms that respect our traditions while reducing the gun violence that shatters too many American families every day.” You can read the full statement below:

One year ago, our dedicated military and civilian personnel at the Washington Navy Yard were targeted in an unspeakable act of violence that took the lives of 12 American patriots. As we remember men and women taken from us so senselessly, we keep close their family and friends, stand with the survivors who continue to heal and pay tribute to the first responders who acted with skill and bravery. At the same time, we continue to improve security at our country’s bases and installations to protect our military and civilian personnel who help keep us safe. One year ago, 12 Americans went to work to protect and strengthen the country they loved. Today, we must do the same – rejecting atrocities like these as the new normal and renewing our call for common-sense reforms that respect our traditions while reducing the gun violence that shatters too many American families every day.