President Barack Obama brought his message from Tuesday's State of the Union to Nashville Thursday with a stop at McGavock High School Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Nashville. / Larry McCormack / THE TENNESSEAN

NASHVILLE - President Barack Obama says he and the first lady are praying for the families affected by a fatal shooting between students at a Tennessee high school where he is speaking.

Obama says he knows the past few days have tested people's spirits. But he says he wanted the McGavock High School community to know it is in his thoughts and prayers.

Obama visited the Nashville school Thursday to speak about education. He also met with the family of the deceased 15-year-old before his remarks.

Authorities say the off-campus shooting happened Tuesday when a 17-year-old was playing with a pistol. It discharged a bullet that struck his 15-year-old friend in the face.

Both were 10th-graders at McGavock.