Hartford (AP) — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the "innocent little boys and girls" killed by a gunman at their school were "taken from their families far too soon."

He said in an address Saturday what's important right now is "love, courage and compassion."

Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown killed several adults and 20 children ages 6 or 7. A medical examiner said the victims were shot by a rifle multiple times.

Police are trying to learn more about the 20-year-old gunman, who also killed his mother and himself.

After the shooting, Malloy went to a firehouse where victims' relatives gathered. He said "evil visited" their community of about 27,000 people 60 miles northeast of New York City. He said since then, love has "poured in from around the world."