Osama Bin Laden Dead

UPDATE 11:55 p.m.: A team of Americans attacked and killed Osama bin Laden today at a compound in Pakistan, President Barack Obama said during a late-night speech to the nation Sunday.

bin Laden's death ends a nearly decade of searching for the Al Qaeda mastermind, who directed the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks that killed thousands of Americans.

"But his death doesn’t mark end of our efforts. We must and will remain vigilant at home and abroad," the President said in his speech.

In his minutes-long speech, the President thanked the intelligence community, who secured leads on bin Laden's location in August. He also said that this fight was never about Islam.

“The US is not – and never will be – at war with Islam … Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims," he said.

 "Justice has been done," Obama said.

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Nearly 10 years after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Osama Bin Laden is dead, news sources began to report Sunday night.

A U.S. Official told the New York Times that the leader was dead Sunday night. President Barack Obama addressed the nation shortly after 11:30 p.m.

Shortly after the White House released a statement around 10:20 p.m. saying the President would make an announcement on an undisclosed topic, speculation exploded on Twitter. Minutes later, The New York Times and the Washington Post  reported bin Laden had been killed in a CIA operation in Pakistan, citing a number of sources.

Tweets from users in and around Arlington:

@amzam: All of this Osama stuff broke as I sat here with a mud mask on... afraid to walk away from my computer but really need to wash this off!

@skenigsberg: Let's just hope this story's coverage beats #royalwedding numbers

@TBauer88: #Obama's approval ratings are gonna go up like crazy after this week

@DCJosie: On my way to the white house who is out?!

@worksy: I wonder what #GWBush is doing right now? Surely Obama called him

@HillStaffer: I think Michelle is going to allow a cigarette or two tonight.

@dave_bentley: Thanks to all of hard work/sacrifice of the military in tracking bin laden over the past 10 years. Good riddance bin laden

Tell us your stories about where you were on Sept. 11, 2001 and how you feel about this breaking news. We'd like to include your stories and voice in this developing story. Email me at lauren.sausser(AT)patch.com if you would like to share your story or leave a comment below this article.