White House orders flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Colorado victims Flags will be flown at half-staff for the next several days at the White House and all public buildings in honor of the victims in the Colorado mass shooting. The White House announced the decision in a presidential proclamation Friday afternoon, "as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated ... in Aurora, Colorado." President Obama ordered that the flags be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and on all naval vessels until July 25. The president directed embassies and other offices and military facilities abroad to take the same action. Law enforcement report that 71 people were shot when a gunman opened fire in a crowded movie theater early Friday morning. Twelve of them died.