President Trump on Tuesday issued a proclamation and ordered that flags be flown at half-staff to honor the five Capital Gazette staffers killed at their Annapolis, Maryland newspaper building last week.
NEW: Official Presidential Proclamation “HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND” pic.twitter.com/ymR9TisHnR
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) July 3, 2018
Five Capital Gazette staffers – four journalists and one sales assistant – were shot and killed June 28 at their newspaper building in Annapolis. The shooting suspect, 38-year-old Jarrod Ramos, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder.
Those shot and killed were Rob Hiaasen, 59; Wendi Winters, 65; Gerald Fischman, 61; John McNamara, 56; and Rebecca Smith, 34.
Trump’s proclamation reads:
Our Nation shares the sorrow of those affected by the shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. Americans across the country are united in calling upon God to be with the victims and to bring aid and comfort to their families and friends. As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated on June 28, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, July 3, 2018. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.
The flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday.
The White House initially denied Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley’s request to lower the flags, but then decided to issue the proclamation, according to reports.
The White House has reversed its decision and will permit Annapolis mayor Gavin Buckley to lower U.S. flags to half-staff in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette office last week. https://t.co/LCZEqzAq2i
— Capital Gazette (@capgaznews) July 3, 2018
