It break my heart every time, Obama reacts to Virginia TV reporter

President Obama has revealed he was heartbroken when he learned a TV news reporter and a cameraman were shot dead during a live broadcast in Virginia.

He also slammed the number of gun-related homicides in the United States, adding that it 'dwarfs any deaths that happen through terrorism'.  

Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, were gunned down by former employee of the CBS affiliate Vester Flanagan while filming an on-air, early morning segment.

The 41-year-old shot and wounded himself several hours later as police pursued him on a Virginia highway. He died later at the hospital, police said.

Speaking to ABC, Obama said: 'It breaks my heart every time you read or hear about these kinds of incidents.

'What we know is that the number of people who die from gun-related incidents around this country dwarfs any deaths that happen through terrorism.'  

Earlier on Wednesday, The White House said the shooting in Virginia was another example of gun violence that is 'becoming all too common.' 

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that Congress could pass legislation that would have a 'tangible impact on reducing gun violence in this country.'