WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Monday, "Our nation is shocked and saddened by the news" of the shootings at Virginia Tech.

Bush said he has spoken with Gov. Tim Kaine and Virginia Tech President Charles Steger, and told them the nation is praying for the victims, their families, and the university community "devastated by this terrible tragedy."(Read full statement [PDF])

He said he promised that his administration will "do everything possible to assist with the investigation, and I pledged that we stand ready to help local law enforcement and the local community in any way we can in this time of sorrow," Bush said in a televised statement at the White House.

"Today, our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones," he said.

"We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today."