3 U.S. police officers dead, 3 injured in Baton Rouge shooting

News, US July 17, 2016 , by IRIA No Comments

Three Louisiana police officers were shot to death and three others wounded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Sunday, in an ambush in less than two weeks after a black man was killed by police, sparking nationwide protests.

The officers in Baton Rouge were responding to a call of shots fired when they were ambushed by at least one gunman, Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden said.

The dead suspect in the Baton Rouge shooting was wearing all black and was wearing a mask, Baton Rouge Police Department Sgt. Don Coppola said.

A suspect described by police as a black male has been killed, and two other suspects may be at large, according to officials. Police involved in the shooting included officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department and deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office.

Residents were encouraged to stay indoors until the remaining suspects are in custody. Police said the public should keep an eye out for suspicious subjects in black or camouflage clothing and notify authorities immediately.

Police detained two suspects in Addis and transported them back to the BRPD Violent Crimes Unit. Sources said the subjects headed to the Port Allen Walmart to change out of all black clothing before they were taken into custody. They’re being questioned in relation to the deadly shooting.

The attack took place less than two weeks after the death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, at the hands of police sparked protests and triggered a Justice Department civil rights investigation. It also comes a little over a week after five police officers were shot dead during a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas.

President Barack Obama has been briefed on the shooting, and the White House has been in contact with Baton Rouge officials at several points throughout the morning.

“I condemn, in the strongest sense of the word, the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge. For the second time in two weeks, police officers who put their lives on the line for ours every day were doing their job when they were killed in a cowardly and reprehensible assault. These are attacks on public servants, on the rule of law, and on civilized society, and they have to stop,” said a statement from President Obama.

“I’ve offered my full support, and the full support of the federal government, to Governor Edwards, Mayor Holden, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Baton Rouge Police Department. And make no mistake – justice will be done” President Obama added.

Paul D. Ryan, the House speaker, denounced the attack on Twitter:

Horrified by another senseless attack on law enforcement in #BatonRouge. We pray for the officers and their families.

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 17, 2016