Gov. Chris Christie said Friday that the people of Connecticut are struggling with an "unthinkable tragedy" after the mass shooting that left at least 25 people dead at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

"The people of the state of Connecticut have endured today just an unspeakable tragedy," Christie said at a news conference in Sea Bright.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to Gov. (Dan) Malloy and to the families of each of those victims," he said.

Multiple news outlets are reporting the shooter as Adam Lanza, who killed 18 students in the second deadliest school shooting in American history. His brother, Ryan Lanza of Hoboken, was initially erroneously named as the culprit.

"I want the folks in Connecticut to know that all the folks here in New Jersey are with them tonight," Christie said.

"The power of our prayers will hopefully be able to in some extraordinarily small way help to bind up the wounds of the people who are suffering and suffering greatly," he said.