File photo of US Secretary of State John Kerry (Agence France-Presse)
Secretary of State John Kerry told the people of France that each and every American stands with them today.
Speaking in English and French, Kerry said the US stands with its ally in solidarity after masked gunmen stormed the Paris offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo today, killing 12 people.
He said the US is committed to working with France to confront extremism and promote the cause that extremists fear: Freedom - or "la liberte."
Kerry has deep family ties to France. He has visited Paris more than any other foreign city as America's top diplomat.
He spoke on Tuesday after meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna at the State Department in Washington.