Hawaiʻi Flags Lowered; Boston Tragedy “Act of Terror”

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

President Barack Obama provided further details following the deadly explosions in Boston on Monday, now calling the incident “an act of terror.”

In a televised press briefing, President Obama said, “This was a heinous and cowardly act, and given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism. Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror.”

The president delivered the address after being briefed by the national security team saying, “What we don’t yet know, however, is who carried out this attack or why; whether it was planned and executed by a terrorist organization—foreign or domestic—or was the act a malevolent individual.”

He said that in the coming days every effort will be made to pursue the investigation and remain vigilant.

President Obama also ordered that US flags be flown at half-staff at government buildings, military installations, and US embassies and military facilities abroad.

This morning, Hawaiʻi Governor Neil Abercrombie responded by ordering all state flags at government buildings to be flown at half-staff, now through sunset on April 20.

Gov. Abercrombie issued a statement saying the lowering of flags is being done as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragedy in Boston, Massachusetts.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, families and many others impacted by the terrifying events that unfolded yesterday at the Boston Marathon,” said Gov. Abercrombie. He continued, “We offer our support and our aloha to the people of Massachusetts during this difficult time.”