Governor Robert F. McDonnell has ordered all U.S. and Virginia flags flown at half-staff Monday to honor the police officer killed at Virginia Tech.
Flags over the state capitol and other government buildings in Virginia will be lowered at sunrise and remain at half-staff until sunset to honor Officer Derek Crouse who was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop Thursday. Also killed that day was the man police believe pulled the trigger – 22-year-old Ross Truett Ashley, of Spotsylvania County – who was found dead from a self-inflicted gun wound shortly after the Crouse was killed.
“I am deeply saddened by today’s news of another tragedy affecting the Virginia Tech community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those impacted by these shootings. Since this news first broke we have been monitoring the situation closely and I have made available all requested state resources to Virginia Tech, including the Virginia State Police. I have also spoken to Virginia Tech President Charles Steger earlier this afternoon,” McDonnell said in a statement.
A total of 32 people were killed and 25 others wounded at Virginia Tech after gunman Seung-Hui Cho opened fire on the campus in 2007. Cho took his own life, but not before perpetrating the deadliest shooting spree in U.S. history.
