Flags at half-staff after mass shooting at July 4th parade in U.S.

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The United States and the American Samoa flags are flying at half-staff throughout the territory for victims of a mass shooting in a suburban area of Chicago, Illinois.

Pursuant to the Proclamation by U.S President Joe Biden, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga yesterday morning issued a directive ordering the flags of the United States and American Samoa to “be flown immediately at half-staff until sunset, July 9, 2022, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence perpetrated on our Independence Day, July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois.”

“As we reflect on the loss of life and the impact on the affected survivors, let us take a moment to be grateful for the Lord’s continued protection and blessings on our Territory,” Lemanu said.

Biden’s proclamation was issued yesterday, according to the White House (www.whitehouse.gov).

The Associated Press reported yesterday morning citing police, saying that the gunman who attacked an Independence Day parade on the 4th of July fired more than 70 rounds with an AR-15-style gun that killed at least seven people, then evaded initial capture by dressing as a woman and blending into the fleeing crowd.

The suspected shooter — who is in custody and being interviewed by authorities — sprayed bullets from atop a commercial building into a crowd that had gathered for the parade, said AP citing authorities. More than 30 people were wounded in the attack, which is the latest is the serious of mass shootings across the U.S since the beginning of the year.

New details are being reported almost hourly by national media.