Kentucky is lowering its flags to half-staff after a gunman fired through stained-glass windows on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at a Minneapolis Catholic Church, killing two children and injuring 17 others.
Here’s what to know.
Gov. Andy Beshear lowers flags to half-staff in Kentucky after deadly Minneapolis shooting
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that in accordance with a White House proclamation from President Donald Trump, the commonwealth is lowering flags at all state office buildings to half-staff until sunset on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in honor of the victims of the recent Minneapolis shooting.
“American children should be safe and feel safe in their schools, yet our country is mourning the heartbreaking loss of two children – each a child of God – taken too soon by yet another senseless act,” Beshear said in an Aug. 28 statement. “Today, Kentucky stands with Minneapolis and all the families affected.
Beshear is also encouraging other individuals, businesses and organizations throughout Kentucky to participate.
Why do flags fly at half-staff?
There are three reasons why both U.S. and state flags are lowered to half-staff:
The death of a government official, military member or emergency first responder.
Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance.
What we know about the Minneapolis school shooting
The attack killed two children, ages 8 and 10, and wounded 17 others. Injured in the shooting were 14 children, ages 6 to 15, and three adults in their 80s. All are expected to survive.
Officials said the shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol and opened fire through the church’s stain-glass windows. Hundreds were inside during a Mass in celebration of the beginning of the school year at Annunciation Catholic School, which is located steps away from the church.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Westman died of a self-inflicted wound and that the weapons used in the attack had been purchased legally. The FBI is currently investigating the mass shooting as “an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.”
Minneapolis shooting: Shooter’s motive sought in Annunciation Catholic Church attack
Is it half-mast or half-staff?
It depends. For ships and naval stations ashore, the flags are flown at half-mast. If you happen to be on dry land, flags on a flagpole are flown at half-staff.
Reporters John Bacon, CoreySchmidt, Christopher Cann and John Tufts contributed. Reach Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Why are flags at half-staff in Kentucky? Trump orders U.S. flags lowered Aug. 27