Gov. Abigail Spanberger Orders Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff “in Memory and Respect of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, Victims of Domestic Violence”

Three points on this: 1) it’s great to see Gov. Abigail Spanberger order this, and *specifically* to do so “in memory and honor of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax and in memory and honor of all victims of domestic violence“; 2) the focus of the murder of Dr. Cerina Fairfax always should have been, and should continue to be, on her and her kids, not on the murderer (who shall not be named in this post); 3) if you want to help support. Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s two children, who now are left without parents, you can do so here (so far, over $115k has been raised, with a goal of $150k).

On this topic, note that as a society, we have a looooong way to go in dealing with the scourge of domestic violence, which often do not get the attention of public mass shootings, school shootings, etc., but sadly they are all too common. For instance, see here for an analysis which found that from 2009 to 2016, “the majority of mass shootings – 54 percent of cases – involved domestic or family violence.”  Also, see this analysis by the US Department of Justice, which found that:

• “From 2020 through 2024, aggravated assault was the violent crime with the highest percentage of domestic relationships reported as the victim to offender relationship. During that timeframe, an average of 31.0% of aggravated assaults were domestic in nature.”
• “The most reported weapon type for domestic and non-domestic relationships from 2020 through 2024 was personal weapons (i.e., hands, fists, feet).”
• “From 2020 through 2024, firearms were involved in 13.7% of violent crime incidents involving domestic relationships, but for those incidents that reported non-domestic relationships that number was higher, 32.6%.”

So unfortunately, the murder of Dr. Cerina Fairfax was not even close to being an aberration in this country, and that’s just completely outrageous, unacceptable and heartbreaking. In short, this sh** needs to end!

Governor’s Flag Order in Memory and Respect of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, Victims of Domestic Violence

In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and honor of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax and in memory and honor of all victims of domestic violence.

We remember Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s life and her devotion to others, her patients, and most especially, her children. We honor her educational achievements, professional success, service to our Commonwealth, and her deep love for her family.

We honor Dr. Cerina Fairfax by drawing attention to the reality that women in any community or circumstance may face domestic violence, and we lower the flags in memory of her and all women whose lives have been lost to domestic violence.

With a solemn commitment to helping those who face domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence, I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Monday, May 4, 2026, and remain at half-staff until sunset.

Ordered on this, the 1st day of May 2026.

Sincerely,

Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor