ATF officials are investigating a firearms investigation that occurred over the weekend.
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Authorities in Louisiana – already rocked by the deadly police shooting of an African American man – said they have arrested three black youths for stealing guns they planned to use to kill officers.
Law enforcement officials, who spoke during a press conference Tuesday, said they believed the threat to be both credible and substantial.
Two other suspects, including a 13-year-old, were arrested later.
“The reality is this is a peaceful human rights movement led by incredibly courageous black people”, said Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi.”I think we are demanding justice and freedom for our people”.
Police arrested one suspect, Antonio Thomas, at the scene. Three handguns were found at his home. The suspects now in police custody are 17-year-old Antonio Thomas, 20-year-old Malik Bridgewater and 23-year-old Trashone Coats, according to WAFB-TV.
One of the suspects is still at large.
The investigation comes as law enforcement across the US remain on edge after Dallas police were targeted and killed by a sniper during a protest.
Police said they increased their presence in the city following the shooting death of Alton Sterling last week due to the “very real and viable threats to law enforcement” in the area.
Ella Carr, center, of Austin, Texas, puts her fist up during live music at a night rally in honor of Alton Sterling, outside the Triple S Food mart in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, July 11, 2016.
The U.S. Department of Justice is now leading a criminal investigation into Sterling’s death, according to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. A federal civil rights investigation is also underway.
One suspect was captured by police as he attempted to flee, police chief Carl Dabadie said at a news conference Tuesday. However, authorities said this was the first one that had been deemed substantive and credible.
As people marched in the streets, police responded in armored vehicles and officers wore heavy armor, arresting 131 people on Saturday.
Among those taken into custody were activist DeRay Mckesson and two local reporters who were covering the event.
“Several times, we’ve been asked numerous times: Why the show of force?” Look what happened in Dallas.
Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake said they saw Sterling reach for the gun before opening fire, according to the affidavit that a Baton Rouge detective filed for a search warrant in the case.
A number of threats have been made against Louisiana law enforcement officers since Sterling’s death.
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Eight weapons were stolen.
