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Obama condemns attack on Baton Rouge officers

Addis police detained two people who went into a Wal-Mart in Port Allen in all-black clothing and came out in different clothes.

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The Baton Rouge shootings follow weeks of heightened tensions in communities nationwide after five white Dallas police officers were killed by an African American gunman who had declared retaliation for the shooting deaths of two African-American males by police in Baton Rouge and suburban Minneapolis. Police received a call of a “suspicious person walking down Airline Highway with an assault rifle”, and when officers arrived, they were shot at, CNN reported. The third officer killed today, an East Baton Rouge Parish deputy, was 45 years old.

The exact circumstances of the attack were unclear, and authorities did not discuss the gunman’s motive or any relationship to the wider police conflicts. Police had arrested three people who had reportedly stolen guns from a local pawn shop in order to target officers.

The suspected gunman was killed at the scene.

The shooting happened early just before 9 a.m., less than 1 mile from police headquarters. “This isn’t supposed to happen here”.

Footage of the incident, which showed at least one officer shooting Sterling at point blank range, ignited protests and outrage across the country.

The gunman was named Gavin E. Long, a US law enforcement official said.

Authorities say three officers died and three officers were wounded.

Multiple police units were stationed at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where the stricken officers were believed to be undergoing treatment at a trauma centre. Thirty-three states lost at least once officer in 2015, according to statistics. Police say they are using a specialized robot to check for explosives near the suspect’s body.

But, after recent ambushes, officers now have to be alert to becoming a target for no reason other than their uniform. There can be no distractions, no calls taken lightly, no feelings of complacency and absolutely no hesitations, DiLuzio described.

“Every one right now focus on words and actions that can unite this country rather than divide it further”, Obama said. “They really have to be aware of these situations – a call for someone locked out of their auto could be a potential ambush”. Three others have been wounded in the Louisiana shooting.

Lynch says everyone’s hearts and prayers are with the fallen and wounded officers, their families and the entire Baton Rouge community in “this extraordinarily hard time”. “Situations are being sensationalized and leading to more copycats”.

“With God’s help, we will get through this”. The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Gavin Long of Kansas City, Missouri, according to ABC news.

“I can’t explain what brought us here”, she said. “Grateful to our HPD officers here”, Bronin said.

Several other police departments took to social media Sunday, expressing sorrow for the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department. The attack began just before 9am at a gas station on Airline Highway. “It appears law enforcement across the country is under attack”.

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Michelle Rogers said Sunday the pastor at her church had led prayers Sunday for Sterling’s family and police officers, asking members of the congregation to stand up if they knew an officer. “If we (police officers) are taken out of the equation, what’s left?”

Photo by Max Becherer/AP