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Torres proclaims half-staff for LV victims
CNMI follows Trump’s order for half-staff
The U.S. flag and the four armed services flags are at half-staff in the American Memorial Park’s Circle of Honor during yesterday afternoon’s gloomy weather. (Erwin Encinares)
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres proclaimed yesterday that U.S. and CNMI flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the Las Vegas shooting incident victims last Sunday evening, Las Vegas time.
In respect to the victims, President Donald J. Trump ordered that all U.S. flags in public buildings, grounds, military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels be flown at half-staff until the sunset of Oct. 6, 2017.
Torres declared a similar proclamation, also directing that the flag of the CNMI be flown at half-staff for the same length of time.
Torres also released a statement on the recent Las Vegas shooting, dubbed by major news outlet CNN as the “deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.”
“Our hearts are with the people of Las Vegas. This is a terrible tragedy that affects all of us. I’m very relieved to hear that all of our staff of our [Commonwealth] Casino Commission, who are there for training, are safe. I know that many of us here in the CNMI have family members and loved ones in the area. Please check in with them to see if they’re safe. I will be calling Gov. [Brian] Sandoval tomorrow to see if we can assist in anyway. Tonight, please pray for Las Vegas and our country. Our condolences are with the families of the victims,” read Torres’ statement to Saipan Tribune.
The Las Vegas shooting incident last Sunday evening in Las Vegas time has claimed at least 59 lives and injured 527 concert-goers. The shooter, which CNN identifies as Stephen Paddock, sprayed bullets onto thousands of people attending country singer Jason Aldean’s concert.
Paddock was shooting from the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay Hotel. He also fired shots against officers through his hotel door. When the police finally entered the room, Paddock had already killed himself.
Authorities recovered 23 guns from the hotel room and an additional 19 firearms and explosives along with several thousand rounds of ammunition at Paddock’s home.
CNN reported that Nevada authorities are still struggling to find a motive for Paddock’s actions.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada as of Oct. 17, 2016 is about 583,756. 0.6 percent of which consists of people that are of Pacific Islander descent.
