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Governor Kelly Armstrong ordered Wednesday that U.S. and North Dakota flags are to be flown at half-staff through Sunday following the shooting death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking event at the Utah campus, prompting an ongoing FBI manhunt with a $100,000 reward offered for information.
Armstrong called the shooting “senseless and reprehensible,” saying there’s no place for political violence in America. The flag directive follows a presidential proclamation by President Trump.
Armstrong did not order flags at half-staff when MN Democratic Rep. Melissa Hortman was assassinated, despite South Dakota doing so with Minnesota. Armstrong appears to only issue a flag directive if it is proclaimed nationally or if the honoree is local.
Shortly after the first order, Armstrong also ordered flags at half-staff Thursday for the 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, encouraging North Dakotans to observe a moment of silence at 7:46 AM.
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