Ducey orders flags to half-staff after Florida school shooting
Feb 15, 2018, 10:37 AM
(AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags at state office buildings Thursday be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of a school shooting in Florida.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and everyone impacted by this horrific tragedy,” Ducey said in a release. “In honor and remembrance of them, flags at all state buildings will be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Monday, Feb. 19.”
Ducey’s order was made shortly after President Donald Trump issued a proclamation to fly all flags on public buildings, military facilities, diplomatic sites, naval vessels and other locations at half-staff.
At least 17 people were killed in a shooting at a southeastern Florida high school on Wednesday. Should the number of fatalities hold at 17, it would be the fourth-deadliest school shooting in United States history.
Related: At least 17 killed in shooting at Florida high school
Another 14 people were injured. As of Wednesday night, at least five victims were in life-threatening condition.
“It’s catastrophic,” Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said. “There really are no words.”
The suspect, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was taken into custody. He was a former student at the school and had been expelled for disciplinary reasons.
Cruz was allegedly armed with an assault-style rifle and had numerous magazines.
A motive is unknown.