(I get the weird feeling Bush is saying this to someone other than the youngster who was holding the gun. Why refer to this as an act of "cowardice" instead of, say, "madness"?)

Monday March 5 3:09 PM ET
Bush Condemns School Shooting As 'Disgraceful Act'

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush condemned a shooting at a California high school Monday as a ``disgraceful act of cowardice.''

``When America teaches her children right from wrong and teaches the values that respect life in our country, our country will be better off,'' Bush said during a picture-taking session at the White House with several members of Congress.

A teenage gunman opened fire inside Santana High School near San Diego. Television reports said at least 15 were injured. It was the latest in a rash of school shootings in recent years, including the April 20, 1999 killing of 13 people at Columbine High School in Colorado.

``Our hearts go out and our prayers go out to the parents and the teachers and the children whose lives have been completely turned upside down right now,'' Bush said.

He described the shooting as a ``disgraceful act of cowardice'' and called on adults to teach their children that ''life is precious.''

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