Gov. Andy Beshear ordered flags to half staff after a shooting killed 6 in Louisville

Rae Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state office buildings after a mass shooting killed six people and injured several others in Louisville on Monday.

Around 8:30 a.m., officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department responded to Old National Bank, 333 E. Main St., within minutes, said Col. Paul Humphrey at a Monday afternoon press conference. Humphrey said officers killed shooter Connor Sturgeon on the scene.

"Today is a tragedy. Louisville and the entire commonwealth are mourning, and we call on everyone to share the love, support and compassion this community desperately needs right now,” said Gov. Beshear in a statement. "A senseless act took the lives of our fellow Kentuckians, including a friend of mine. What these families are experiencing is unimaginable. They need us to wrap our arms around them and to love them with all our hearts."

More: Louisville Old National Bank shooting: How to help victims' families

Sturgeon was a former employee of the bank, having worked there as a syndications associate and portfolio banker, according to his LinkedIn profile which has since been taken down. He also worked there for three summers as an intern.

In a release, Beshear encouraged "individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the commonwealth" to join in honoring the victims.

Flags are asked to be at half-staff until sunset on Friday.

What time are flags displayed at half-staff?

Customs call for flags to be shown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset unless the flag can be illuminated overnight.

Holidays where the flag is half-staff around the country

  • May 15: Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff all day)

  • Last Monday in May: Memorial Day (half-staff until noon)

  • Sept. 11: Patriot Day (half-staff all day)

  • Dec. 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff all day)

What's the difference between half-mast and half-staff?

According to The Sextant, the Naval History and Heritage Command's blog, half-mast refers to lowered flags on a ship, while half-staff is a pole in the ground. Half-mast is a term used outside the U.S.

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Why are Kentucky flags at half staff?