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House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders got emotional on the podium as she recalled acts of heroism by those under fire during the Las Vegas attack late Sunday.

Sanders said she sends her thoughts and prayers to the victims of the "act of pure evil" carried out by Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nev.

She appeared to fight back tears as she told the story of a young man from Tennessee who died shielding his wife of one year from Paddock's fire.

Sanders said that another man, a 53-year-old from Pennsylvania, was praised for laying on top of students to protect them, saying later that he "lived a good life" compared to the much-younger 20-year-olds.

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Another concertgoer returned to the scene in his pickup truck to transport the wounded to hospitals.

"The memories of those who displayed the ultimate expressions of love in the midst of this unimaginable act of hate will never fade," Sanders said.

As she opened the floor to questions, Reuters' Jeff Mason asked if President Trump was briefed on possible gun control measures that could be taken in the wake of the attack.

Sanders told Mason that today is a time to mourn and not begin a political debate.

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