Gov. Deal orders flags half-staff for Fort Valley student Donnell Phelps

Flags will be flying at half-staff on all Georgia government buildings Friday in honor of a Fort Valley State University student killed while coming to the aid of three women.

Citing the heroism of Donnell M. Phelps, Governor Nathan Deal signed an executive order Thursday to honor the slain freshman studying in the Agriculture Engineering Technology department.

"Mr. Phelps will be remembered for the heroic actions he displayed through aiding and preventing the assault and possible deaths of three women, of which resulted in a senseless and tragic loss of his own life," the governor's order stated.

Phelps' accused killer, Joseph Anthony Scott, allegedly was trying to grope three women coming out of the campus cafeteria late Tuesday afternoon.

Phelps intervened and was fatally stabbed before Scott allegedly attacked campus public safety officer Ernest Johnson of Macon, who was stabbed seven times.

The U.S. flag and the state flag will fly at half-staff until sunset on Friday.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 6:02 AM with the headline "Gov. Deal orders flags half-staff for Fort Valley student Donnell Phelps."