Shooting victims remembered at lighting of Capitol Christmas Tree

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The mass shooting in California has intruded on a normally festive event in Washington -- the annual lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree.

House Speaker Paul Ryan asked for a moment of silence and for prayers for the multiple shooting victims at a Southern California social services center.

Before throwing the switch illuminating the tree on the Capitol's west lawn, Ryan said "I hope it will be a reminder throughout this Christmas season that even in the darkest of times, God is there and He is good."

The speaker added, "For those of us who are Christian, he gave us his only son."

After a countdown, the 74-foot Alaskan spruce was lit and the United States Army Band performed "O Christmas Tree."