Gov. Haley Barbour says Friday will be a statewide day of mourning in Mississippi to remember victims of the shootings this week at Virginia Tech.

Barbour said he is asking for bells in Mississippi to chime at 11 a.m. CDT as a sign of respect for the victims and their families.

“We hope our fellow Mississippians and Americans will also keep these victims in their thoughts and prayers,” Barbour said in a news release Thursday.

He said other governors are proclaiming Friday as a day of mourning.