Obama 'saddened' by attack on recruiters

(CNN) - President Barack Obama said Thursday he was "deeply saddened" by the shootings at an Arkansas military recruiting station that left one solder dead and another wounded.

Investigators are still digging into the background of Abdulhakim Muhammad, a Muslim convert from Tennessee suspected of the attack on the Little Rock recruiting center on Monday. Muhammad, formerly known as Carlos Bledsoe, is charged with killing Pvt. William Long, 23, of Conway, Arkansas, and wounding Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula, 18, of Jacksonville, Arkansas.

"I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence against two brave young soldiers who were doing their part to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House. "I would like to wish Quinton Ezeagwula a speedy recovery, and to offer my condolences and prayers to William Long's family as they mourn the loss of their son."

Muhammad, 23, has pleaded not guilty. But according to court records, he told police that he had "political and religious" motives for the shooting. "He was mad at the U.S. military because of what they had done to Muslims in the past," homicide detective Tommy Hudson said in a police report.