This is a developing story and we will be updating it as details emerge.
- New details of three of the victims have been released
- Three officers are confirmed dead
- One is in critical condition
- Two other officers are in stable condition
- 1 shooter is dead
- Some are calling this an ambush and domestic terrorism since multiple people seem to be involved which would be considered “conspiracy”
- The shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Gavin Long. The shooter decided to use his birthday to murder police officers. He was born, CNN sources said, on July 17,1987. He was a Marine and was honorably discharged as a sergeant at the E-5 level in 2010.
Three of the victims have been identified. One is new father Montrell Jackson and former Marine, father of two Matthew Gerald. Jackson had recently become a father in March. The third victim of the shooting is East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola who was a father of four children.
Baton Rouge police received a “suspicious persons” call when a man was walking down a highway with a rifle. When police showed up to check it out the man opened fire.
The identities of the dead officers have not been released. The six victims were from the Baton Rouge PD and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office.
Kip Holden, the mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish, said the shooter is believed to be down as well — but authorities didn’t offer details.
“Everything is moving fast and I have not been able to verify everything,” Holden said.
The police were suspecting and fearing threats against officers after the death of Alton Sterling several weeks ago the first week of July. After the Alton Sterling death a pawn shop was robbed and one man was arrested stealing hand guns. He told police their plan was to kill police officers in the region.
“This is an unspeakable and unjustified attack on all of us at a time when we need unity and healing,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
Holden said Sunday authorities were still trying to get a handle on the situation, but added, “The count is three officers dead possibly.”
Two members of the New Black Panther party were recently arrested by the FBI for trying to buy arms and bombs.
Donald Trump was the first presidential candidate to react to the shooting.
Here is Hillary Clinton’s statement:
“Today’s devastating assault on police officers in Baton Rouge is an assault on all of us. There is no justification for violence, for hate, for attacks on men and women who just put their lives on the line every day in service of our families and communities.
We must not turn our backs on each other. We must not be indifferent to each other. We must all stand together to reject violence and strengthen our communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the police officers who were killed and injured today.”
The average salary of a Baton Rouge Police Officer is $49,000.
