LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Flags are flying at half-staff this week in memory of the victims of the two most recent mass shootings.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered that all U.S. and Michigan Flags be lowered on state buildings and other areas until Thursday evening to honor those who were killed in El Paso Texas and Dayton Ohio over the weekend.
A gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso Saturday morning, killing 20 people and injuring dozens, and that same day at least 9 people were killed and 27 were hurt when another gunman opened fire in a popular nightlife district Sunday morning in Dayton.
In a statement, Whitmer said, “We are heartsick to hear the news out of El Paso and Dayton. Gun violence is a public health crisis in our country, and we need to come together and take action to make sure firearms don’t end up in the hands of someone who wants to hurt themselves or others. My heart is with the loved ones of the victims and the residents and first responders of Texas and Ohio.”
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday.
Before the shootings, Michigan flags were set to be lowered for the funeral on Monday for Army Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Sullivan of Canton, who died in a training exercise at Fort Pickett in Virginia.
