As a mark of respect for "the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona," President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation ordering the flying of flags at half-staff at all public buildings until sunset, January 14, 2011.

President Obama issued the proclamation in honor of the victims of a weekend shooting rampage in which six people were killed and 20 were injured at an Arizona political event.  U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, who had scheduled the Saturday meet-and-greet event was shot at close range and remains in critical condition. 

According to the National Flag Foundation, federal law states "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with the law."

As a public building, the Fontana Unified School District's schools and district offices will display the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on Friday, January 14, 2011.  Flag protocol indicates that each day the flag be raised to its peak then respectfully lowered to half-staff. At the end of the day, the flag is again to be hoisted to its peak before being lowered.