SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 24, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer Cox has ordered the immediate lowering of U.S. and Utah flags at all state facilities to honor the victims who lost their lives in the school shooting Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, killing at least 19 children and two adults before being killed by law enforcement.
“We are absolutely devastated to learn about the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas,” a joint statement from Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson reads. “It’s hard to imagine a more heinous crime, and we pray for the students, educators, families, law enforcement officers, and everyone impacted by this senseless act of violence.
“Even as we mourn for the victims, we urge parents and students to download the SAFEUT app and to say something if you see warning signs.”
Cox’s statewide order follows a proclamation from President Joe Biden calling for the U.S. flag to be lowered at the White House and at federal government and military facilities nationwide as “a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 24, 2022, by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.”
The national and statewide orders call for flags to return to full-staff at sunset on Saturday.
Other Utah leaders
Utah’s elected officials shared their condolences on social media Tuesday. Sen. Mitt Romney called the school shooting “incomprehensible,” while fellow Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee tweeted, “My heart breaks at the tragic news from Texas today.”
Grief overwhelms the soul. Children slaughtered. Lives extinguished. Parents’ hearts wrenched. Incomprehensible. I offer prayer and condolence but know that it is grossly inadequate. We must find answers.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 24, 2022
My heart breaks at the tragic news from Texas today. I pray for the victims, their families, and for our nation at this difficult time.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) May 24, 2022
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, tweeted:
I’m heartbroken by the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. My prayers are with the families who lost their children and loved ones to this horrific, senseless act.
— President J. Stuart Adams (@JStuartAdams) May 25, 2022
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson noted her outrage for the “senseless act of violence against children in Texas,” and called on elected officials “resisting” laws addressing gun violence to “take responsibility for their unwillingness to act.”
Many of us in elected offices stand ready to enact further laws to protect our communities. Those resisting need to take responsibility for their unwillingness to act. #EndGunViolence
— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) May 24, 2022
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall tweeted her condolences and a similar call to action:
It is far beyond time we, as a nation, take action to eliminate these senseless tragedies.
— Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) May 25, 2022
As we have seen thoughts, prayers and lowering the flag is NOT WORKING. The Government of our country needs to step up and do something about these ridiculous gun laws that were written hundreds of years ago when people hunted for food. There is absolutely no need to carry a concealed weapon. That is the problem. People thinking they need guns to defend themselves, from what? Our elected officials need to grow a pair and do something about these guns. How many people have to die. Utah will be next. The U.S. “is one of the most backwards places in the world” when it comes to gun laws. so far this year, there have been no school shootings in England, Japan, or Australia. However, there have been 27 school shootings and 212 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2022, and that’s in less than five months.