PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- At the direction of President Barack Obama, Rhode Island's governor has ordered all U.S. and Rhode Island flags in the state to half-staff in honor of the victims of the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) says the flags are being lowered out of respect for the victims of what he calls "senseless acts of violence."

The shooting during a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" killed 12 and left nearly 60 injured at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater.

The flags on all public buildings are to remain at half-staff until sunset next Wednesday.