Friends and family of Jackson, 32, were mourning the 10-year veteran of the police force that relatives described as a “gentle giant” and a “protector” after he and another two law enforcement officers were shot and killed Sunday morning by a gunman.
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“There is no doubt whatsoever that these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated, ” Colonel Michael Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, said at a news conference.
Carrying two rifles and a pistol, Long parked his vehicle near a beauty supply store mid-morning.
After the five Dallas police officers were killed by a man who authorities said was angered by police fatal shooting, Long posted a video on YouTube saying he was “not gonna harp on that.it’s justice”.
BRPD Chief Carl Dabadie praised his men in an emotional turn at the podium. We’re trying to figure out why he would commit this heinous crime, ” Slaton said. “We have to have the ability to use it when we needed it and we needed it here”.
Just down the street, on a corner across from the police station, black activist Redell Norman and a handful of supporters who have protested the police shooting of Alton Sterling held a smaller demonstration that included Black Lives Matters signs and forms for anyone who wanted to register to vote.
Nearly immediately, the commercial plaza where the shootings took place became a makeshift memorial with flowers, photos and hand-written notes. Marcelle was seen wearing the shirt with the officers’ names at a vigil Monday night. Earnest said. “It only increases the risk that law enforcement officers face and making the streets were unsafe for the people who live in these communities”.
Police said video footage of the attack provding chilling evidence supporting the theory that Long’s attack was a calculated assassination.
“We must come together to ensure that those who try to divide us do not succeed”, he said.
Police around the USA feel like they are “under siege” in the wake of two deadly ambushes and increased tensions nationwide between law enforcement and the communities they serve, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said.
The two other dead officers in Baton Rouge were identified as Matthew Gerald, 41, also an Iraq war veteran; and Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola, 45, a father of four. “Right after that, I got a text that he was one of the casualties”. Less than two weeks ago, he got the okay to start doing solo patrols.
“We are all hurting”, Marcelle said.
“There is clear evidence that African Americans are disproportionately killed in police incidents”.
Edwards said one of the wounded officers was fighting for his life while a second underwent surgery and needed further surgery on his neck.
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After two weeks of unsettling and hard days and nights in Baton Rouge, residents are hoping for some calm.
