The news was in, and it was horrific. Twenty elementary school children dead and six adults killed in a shooting in a Connecticut school.
In the face of such tragedies, what should parents say to children?
Dr. Karyn Horowitz, who as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, has dealt with children who experienced traumas, said that before speaking to their children, parents should sort out their own feelings first.
That's because, she said, how the child reacts is typically influenced by how the parent reacts.
"So stay calm if you want your child to stay calm, and remember that children will react not only to what you say, but how you say it."
Horowitz said parents should listen carefully to their children's questions and concerns, and answer them in a specific and honest way. Too often, she said, a parent might attempt to shower the child with more information than the child wants to hear.
"It's not necessary to go into all the details. I think one question many children want to know is 'Am I going to be safe?' It's important to convey to them they are safe, and that the adults in the community are working to keep them safe."
And what of those disturbing stories and images coming over the television?
Horowitz said it's up to the parents to decide whether to turn off the TV, but if it is kept on, she said, it's advisable that parents and children sit and watch the shows together, maybe making it into an opportunity to talk about events around the world.
"But what you don't want is kids sitting alone watching the news. If there is a tragedy, you don't want them watching that news over and over."
Horowitz said that while horrific events such as Friday's shooting might cause parents to pull their children together, it's important that they don't disrupt their regular routines. Kids, she said, need structure and routine.
"If you find your children are particularly upset, you may want to think of a way for them to help the community. If the children can do something positive -- sending a donation or a picture perhaps -- they might not feel so powerless," she said.
And keep in mind, the psychiatrist said, that children who have had traumatic experience in their life may begin to show some regression toward earlier behaviors in the face of news about other tragedy.
"I think that's normal for children who have been traumatized. They can be moody for a couple months, but if the problem persists I would suggest a call to a family physician or mental health worker."
Elsewhere around Rhode Island Friday, various citizens and dignitaries reacted in different ways.
At Murphy's Pub, on Fountain Street in Providence, the usually talkative patrons became hushed when the news about the shootings came over the television, according to Janet Mazza, the daughter of the owner.
"One man was sitting in the back and all of a sudden, he says, 'Oh my God, my grandson goes to that school.' He stood up, went to the waitress and paid his money and ran out. I feel for that man."
Governor Chafee joined with President Obama's call for all U.S. flags to be flown at half staff until Tuesday, adding Rhode Island's state flags to be flown half-staff as well.
He also issued a statement that drew from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Said Chafee: "As the families of today's many innocent victims mourn this senseless loss of life, the thoughts and prayers of the people of Rhode Island and the people of our nation are with them -- and will remain with them."
Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, spiritual leader of the Diocese of Providence, said he extended his most sincere sympathy and prayers to all those whose lives were touched by the terrible events.
"Although even the best of words will fail at a moment like this," said the bishop, "my prayer is that the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel -- the God who is with us in good times and bad -- will bring some measure of comfort and peace to all."
State Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Deborah A. Gist said that "as educators our very first priority is to ensure that our children are safe in school, and I want to assure Rhode Islanders that we have a number of protocols and practices in place to keep our schools safe and secure."
She added that education officials here will continue to monitor the situation in Connecticut, and "if we can learn anything from analysis of this crime to make our schools even safer we will certainly do so."
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said, "there are no words to describe the horror that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary School... It is unfathomable that the words shooting and elementary school are even in the same sentence."