Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order Tuesday calling for all U.S. and state flags lowered in honor of the four Marines and one sailor killed in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Georgia state flag and the U.S. flag have already been lowered to half-staff at the state Capitol.
"My prayers and I think the prayers of all Georgians are with them. We want to share in their loss and to make them aware that we appreciate the service of their loved one," Deal said.
Deal ordered all U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff in honor of the victims of the Chattanooga shootings, including two men with Georgia ties.
Lance Cpl. Skip Wells had just graduated from Sprayberry High School in Cobb County in 2012.
Navy Petty Officer Randall Smith lived in Catoosa County with his wife and children.
The governor's executive order came just as President Obama ordered White House flags at half-staff after critics called on him to honor the victims.
"I think it's respectful and I think it's overdue. It's time," said Georgia resident Stephanie Holmes.
She said the shooting rampage hit too close to home.
"It's really scary, I teach (my children) every day the safety rules and what they need to do. We're looking out over our shoulders, it's a different time," Holmes said.
"The settings in which these deaths occurred were not a place that you would ever anticipate that would be a place that would be attacked, had there been greater anticipation it could have been avoided," Deal said.
The governor said the flags will remain lowered until sunset on July 30.
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