Americans & Marylanders Celebrate The Death Of Bin Laden
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden started before President Barack Obama even made the official announcement.
Kai Jackson has more on the emotion following the shocking news.
There's been an incredible outpouring of emotion ever since the news of bin Laden's death broke overnight.
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U.S. leaders say that they have proof that Navy SEALS killed al-Qaida's leader. Osama bin Laden's body was identified by one of his wives, as well as by DNA and facial recognition technology.
"This is a good day for America," said President Barack Obama.
At 1:30 a.m. Monday, Pakistan time, a team of elite U.S. forces stormed the million dollar home north of Islamabad. They arrived in two helicopters; one had mechanical problems and was forced to land. The SEALS dropped in and ended up in a firefight. Bin Laden was shot in the head and in the chest.
One of his sons, two couriers and a woman used as a human shield were also killed.
The U.S. team left in a helicopter about 45 minutes after the raid began with bin Laden's body on board. He was later buried, his body released from an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.
Late Monday, the White House released photos of the president and members of his national security team in the Situation Room; they were able to closely monitor the operation in real time.
"It was probably one of the most anxiety-filled moments of time in the lives of people assembled here yesterday. The minutes passed like days," said presidential adviser John Brennan.
News of bin Laden's death sparked celebrations across the country. Crowds gathered at the White House, Ground Zero and at the Naval Academy.
For others, the news is a reminder of the nightmare that's been haunting them for a decade. Steve Peck--from Hunt Valley--spent the morning of 9/11 in Tower One of the World Trade Center.
"When I think about the decade of watching my kids grow up and things like that, it's been phenomenal to me I have the opportunity to be here and witness this," Peck said. "It's a history-making moment. Everyone's going to remember for sure when they first heard about it."
Photos were taken of bin Laden's body before it was buried at sea. The Obama administration is still deciding whether or not to release those photos to the public.
Click here for a slideshow of how the world reacted to news that Osama bin Laden had been killed.
