President Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation Friday to fly the American flag at half-staff to honor the victims of the mass shooting rampage early Friday morning in Colorado.
The proclamation means the U.S. flag will 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 throughout the U.S. and its territories until sunset on Wednesday, July 25.
A 24-year-old gunman in a gas mask and body armor unleashed a deadly rampage at a suburban Denver movie theater during a midnight Friday showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," and was taken into custody outside the theater, authorities said.
Twelve people were shot dead and 59 others injured, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said in an afternoon press conference. Two people died at area hospitals and 10 bodies were still at the Aurora theater where the attack took place, Oates said.
Oates confirmed that the suspect now in custody is James Eagan Holmes, born Dec. 13, 1987. He was dressed in black and wore a helmet, gas mask, and protective clothing covering his head, chest, legs and throat, Oates said.
Obama's full proclamation can be read below:
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HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN AURORA, COLORADO
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, 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 25, 2012. 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 twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA
