Gov. Kemp Orders Flags Half-Staff To Honor Sailor Killed In FL

GEORGIA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ordered that all United States and Georgia flags at state buildings and grounds be lowered to half staff on Monday, Dec. 16, in honor of Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters. Walters was one of three sailors killed in the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida attack on Dec. 6.

Walters, 21, honorably served in the Navy, according to an executive order from the governor's office. He was from Richmond Hill.

"It is fitting and proper to recognize the sacrifices made by Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters by lowering the flags on all State buildings and grounds to half-staff," the order says.

The flag will be flown at half-staff for the full day, which marks the sailor's interment.

U.S. and Saudi officials on Friday evening identified the gunman as Saudi Arabian national Ahmed Mohammed al-Shamrani, who was in training funded by Saudi Arabia, according to Pentagon spokesman Chris Garver. His training was scheduled to end in August 2020.

Al-Shamrani was shot dead by a sheriff's deputy responding to the shooting.

Related:

• Pensacola Military Shooting: 3 Killed By Gunman, Who Is Shot Dead
• Concert, Candlelight Vigil To Pay Tribute To Sailor 'Mo' Haitham
• 19-Year-Old Airman From St. Pete Among Those Killed In Pensacola

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose congressional district includes the base, told CNN the shooting should be investigated as terrorism.

"We can safely call this an act of terrorism, not an act of workplace violence," he said.

However, multiple reports say al-Shamrani was infuriated that an instructor had called him "Porn Stash," in reference to the trainee's mustache. VICE reported the Saudi second lieutenant hosted a dinner party the night before where he showed videos of mass shootings.

President Trump said that Saudi King Salman had called him "to express his sincere condolences and give his sympathies."