Osama Bin Laden is Dead, President Announces to Nation

President Obama announced Sunday evening during a nationwide broadcast that the United States killed Osama bin Laden.

Bin Laden is accused of being the master mind of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people when two suicide attacks by al-Qaeda targeted the Twin Towers in New York City and four commercial airliners were hijacked killing everyone on board. 

"The United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, leader of al Qaeda," Obama said.

According to the President, bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in a firefight in Pakistan. Officials have bin Laden's body.

"I’m pleased and relieved that this has happened," said Alice Hoagland, whose son, Mark Bingham, died on United Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. "We are taking in the news, and we are relieved that the terrorist who masterminded 9/11 has finally been brought to justice and brought to justice by the hands of the United States."

Hoagland lives in the Santa Cruz mountains and said her phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from other victims' families.

"It's been electric around here," Hoagland said. "I’ve missed my son everyday...and it feels that this is a little bit of closure for a terrible tragedy like 9/11."

Major news outlets accross television offered their special reports on the announcement Sunday night, recounting the nearly 10 years since the deadly attacks.

"The death of Bin Laden marks the most significant achievement of our country to date in our fight against al-Qaeda," said the President.

Belmont Mayor Coralin Feierbach applauded the nation's accomplishment in an e-mail to Belmont Patch on Sunday night.

"The news about Osama Bin Laden will hopefully bring closure to those affected by 911," Feierbach said. "It took the courageous action of our president to bring about what seemed unattainable over the last 10 years."

Assemblymember Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, was pleased with the news as well.

"Anyone who witnessed the events of 9/11 wanted to see a day of justice. This is that day," said Hill.

San Francisco International Airport officials had not made any changes to security or flights as of 10 p.m., according to airport spokesman Michael McCarron.

You can watch President Obama's address here.

Bay City News Service and Belmont Patch editor Laura Dudnick contributed to this report.