3 law enforcement officers killed, 3 others injured in Baton Rouge shooting
Three officers are confirmed dead and three others wounded after a shooting in Baton Rouge, a sheriff’s office spokeswoman said Sunday. One suspect is dead and law enforcement officials believe two others are still at large, the spokeswoman said. (July 17)
VIDEO: WAFB/AP Footage On The Street In Baton Rouge
At least three law enforcement officers were killed and three others injured in a shooting Sunday in Baton Rouge, officials said.
A suspect was also dead in a gun battle with police. Two other suspects may also be at large, officials said.
The shooting — which happened just before 9 a.m., less than 1 mile from police headquarters — comes amid spiraling tensions across the city, Louisiana’s capital — and the country — between the black community and police.
A police robot was brought in to ensure there were no explosives on the dead suspect or in the vicinity.
A witness told WBRZ-TV, a man was dressed in black with his face covered was shooting indiscriminately when he walked out between a convenience store and car wash across from Hammond Air Plaza, according to Fox radio affiliate WJBO.
Multiple police units were stationed at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where the officers were taken. A police officer with a long gun was blocking the parking lot at the emergency room.
Spokeswoman Ashley Mendoza said the hospital received five patients from the police shooting, all “law enforcement professionals.” Of the two who survived the shooting, one is in critical condition and the other is in fair condition.
Gov. John Bel Edwards asked the public to pray for the officers involved and their families.
“Rest assured, every resource available to the State of Louisiana will be used to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice,” Edwards said in a statement.
Officers and deputies from the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office were involved, according to Casey Rayborn Hicks, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
Fox8 Live reported that a witness described hearing at least 25 to 30 gunshots in the area of the convenience store.
“I walked out into the street to see what was going on, there was a man lying in the street,” the witness told the station. ”I assume he was dead because he wasn’t moving.”
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VIDEO: More Police Officers Shot In Baton Rouge, Three Dead
sources: Fox News, Youtube, The Associated Press