CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff in memory of the dozens killed in the Connecticut school shootings.

Quinn said in a statement Friday that Illinoisans are praying for the victims and families in Newtown, Conn. A gunman opened fire inside an elementary school, killing at least 26 people, including 18 children. Quinn says he is “deeply saddened” to learn about the shootings. He cited a 2008 shooting at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb that left five students dead.

Quinn says he intends to pursue passage of “strict laws that will protect our children and the people of Illinois from gun violence.”

© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.