Shelton Reacts to the Death of Bin Laden

Osama Bin Laden's death is being met with a mix of relief and apprehension this morning. Last night, President Barack Obama addressed the nation to announce that the al-Qaeda leader had been killed by American fire.

Immediate reaction was celebratory, as people took to FaceBook and Twitter in the wee hours of the morning to share their thoughts. At around midnight, Mike Naran posted the following message: "10 years later and Osama Bin Ladin is officially dead!"

Others responded by wondering what the next step might be. "Can we end this war now?" Tim Hahn said.

"Now send our troops home!" said Amy Angelastro of Fairfield.

But as hours after the official announcement passed, citizens began to face the reality of the situation.

Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman said "I think it's okay to congratulate ourselves but we can't push out the idea that they might do something in reaction. The fundamentalist Islamists have a very long time horizon; they date this back to the Crusades."

Jamil Larkins, currently studying at the University of Connecticut, put it a bit more bluntly: "War isn't over. Troops aren't coming home. Gas prices aren't going down."

Governor Dannel P. Malloy also weighed in on the news early this morning. He released the following statement:

"The news tonight that Osama bin Laden has been killed is 10 years in the making. As mayor of Stamford on 9/11, I remember waiting on the train platform there as scared, confused, and overwhelmed commuters made their way home, none of us fully understanding what had just happened. I also cannot forget the Connecticut residents we lost that day. Over the last decade, Connecticut men and women have served our country honorably, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. This news is a testament to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of our Armed Forces and our country."