BOW - Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney set aside political rhetoric at a lumberyard here on Friday afternoon to focus on the tragic shooting in Colorado, decrying the “hateful act” and asking Americans to comfort the families of the victims.

Romney stopped at Coastal Forest Products in Bow on his way to spending the weekend at his home in Wolfeboro, as he prepares for a trip overseas next week.

Romney called it “a very sad day. Our hearts break with the sadnesss of this unspeakable tragedy. Ann and I join the President and First Lady in offering our deepest condolences to those whose lives were lost.” He called on Americans to “remember how much we love another.”

“We do know how evil is overcome. We're seeing that in the goodness and compassion of a grieving community” in Colorado.

After speaking for less than five minutes, Romney shook hands with everyone in the crowd, which lined up as they exited the brief event.

“There will be justice for those responsible,” Romney said. “That is another matter for another day.”

Today, he said, is a day “to grieve, to reach out and to help” the families of the victims and the beleaguered community.

“Each one of us will hold our kids a little closer” and reach to friends, neighbors and colleagues, he said.

President Barack Obama, in Florida, also said that “there are going to be other days for politics,” and said today was for “prayer and reflection.'

Fr. Christian Tutor, an Anglican Catholic priest from the All Saints Anglican Church in Concord,was called in to lead a prayer before Romney spoke.

The priest asked for “comfort to all who mourn, to all those who are in sorrow, to all those who are searching for a reason” for the tragedy, he prayed.

He conveyed “the thoughts and prayers of the people of New Hampshire” to the victims and their families.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte introduced Romney after saying, “We come before you today with very, very heavy hearts.”

jdistaso@newstote.com