FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 8, 2023 

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Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags After Mass Shooting in Allen, Texas 

LANSING, Mich – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately on Monday, May 8 through sunset on Thursday, May 11 to honor and remember the victims of the shooting in Allen, Texas.   

“Once again, we mourn for a community impacted by gun violence,” said Governor Whitmer. “Allen is now the next community to be the site of senseless violence. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who were killed, those still fighting for their lives in the hospital, and the entire community that has been impacted. We cannot keep living like this. As a nation, we must keep working toward common sense solutions to prevent these tragedies. Michiganders are standing with Texans.”  

On May 6, a gunman killed nine people and injured multiple others at the Allen Premium Outlets, a mall north of Dallas in Allen, Texas.   

The State of Michigan remembers the victims and stands in solidarity with residents of the state of Texas by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.      

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.    

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday, May 12.   

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