Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Chattanooga Shooting Victims

Governor Paul LePage has ordered all flags flown at half-staff this week, in honor of the victims of a mass shooting in Tennessee. The order includes the United States and State of Maine flags.

"The shootings in Chattanooga were horrific acts of violence that took five brave Americans who fought to protect the freedoms we all share today," Governor LePage said in a press release. "Ann and I join Mainers in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of the service members whose lives ended too soon because of a senseless and cowardly act."

The Governor went on to say that he encourages all Mainers to lower flags in respect for the victims, starting immediately, and effective through Friday at sunset.

Mohammed Youssef Abdulazeez, of Hixson, Tennessee, shot and killed four Marines and injured three other people before being killed in a firefight with responding police officers. The shootings occurred July 16th at two military recruiting centers in Chattanooga.