Governor Deval Patrick offers help and condolences, other Massachusetts politicians react

, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick said Friday that he had checked in with Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy’s office in the wake of today’s school massacre in Newtown “to make sure that he knows that we here in Massachusetts, and I personally, am thinking about him, and about all of the victims, and their families of what, by all early accounts, is a pretty horrific act of violence.”

“If there is law enforcement assistance, investigative assistance, that they need, and we can provide, I’m sure we would be eager to do so,” Patrick said.

The Massachusetts State Police sent a crime scene unit to Connecticut and Patrick’s office offered to deploy additional state employees who specialize in mental health and stress.

Meanwhile, politicians around the state reacted to news of the shootings.

Attorney General Martha Coakley said in a statement that “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the children, staff, and families victimized by today’s horrific tragedy in Connecticut.”

“It is incomprehensible to believe that someone would target innocent children,” she added. “It will take time to sort out all the facts and get answers to how this occurred, but for now we can only offer our support to the victims of this national tragedy.”

Other state political leaders reacted on Twitter.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston said “Our city grieves for all those in Newtown, CT. They are in our thoughts and prayers during this most tragic time.”

US Representative James McGovern, a Worcester Democrat tweeted: “Schools should be sacred, safe places. My thoughts & prayers join the rest of the country’s in the face of today’s tragedy.”

Representative-elect Joe Kennedy III, the Brookline Democrat, wrote: “Absolutely heartbreaking news coming out of CT right now. Praying for the victims, their families, the community and our country.”

Representative Stephen Lynch, a South Boston Democrat, tweeted: “Margaret & I send our prayers to the families in #Newtown affected by today’s unspeakable events. God bless those families & their children.”