3 Baton Rouge officers killed in shooting; suspect dead

[webfact]

3 Baton Rouge officers killed in shooting; suspect dead
By MIKE KUNZELMAN

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers investigating a report of a man with an assault rifle were killed Sunday, less than two weeks after a black man was fatally shot by police here in a confrontation that sparked nightly protests that reverberated nationwide.

Three other officers were wounded, one critically. Police said the suspect was killed at the scene. The dead gunman was believed to be the only person who fired at officers, but authorities were unsure whether he had some kind of help, a state police spokesman said.

"We are not ready to say he acted alone," Major Doug Cain said. Two "persons of interests" were detained in the nearby town of Addis.

The shooting — which took place just before 9 a.m., less than a mile from police headquarters — came amid escalating tensions across the country between the black community and police. The races of the suspect and the officers were not immediately known.

It was the fourth high-profile deadly encounter in the United States involving police over the past two weeks. The violence has left 12 people dead, including eight police officers, and sparked a national debate over race and policing.

President Barack Obama urged Americans to tamp down inflammatory words and actions.

"We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies attacks on law enforcement," Obama said in remarks from the White House. "Every one right now focus on words and actions that can unite this country rather than divide it further."

Authorities initially believed that other assailants might be at large, but hours later said that no other active shooters were on the loose. They did not discuss the gunman's motive or any relationship to the wider police conflicts.

The shooting began at a gas station on Airline Highway. According to radio traffic, Baton Rouge police answered a report of a man with an assault rifle and were met by gunfire. For several long minutes, they did not know where it was coming from.

The radio exchanges were made public Sunday by the website Broadcastify.

Nearly 2½ minutes after the first report of an officer getting shot, an officer on the scene is heard saying police do not know the shooter's location.

Almost six minutes pass after the first shots are reported before police say they have determined the shooter's location. About 30 seconds later, someone says shots are still being fired.

The recording lasts about 17 minutes and includes urgent calls for an armored personnel carrier called a BearCat.

A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said the shooter was identified as Gavin Long but had no details. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation.

In Kansas City, police converged on a house that was listed for a Gavin Long. Some officers had weapons drawn from behind trees. Others took cover behind cars.

Gov. John Bel Edwards rushed to the hospital where the officers were taken. They were from the Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.

"There simply is no place for more violence," Edwards said. "That doesn't help anyone. It doesn't further the conversation. It doesn't address any injustice perceived or real. It is just an injustice in and of itself."

A witness told television station WAFB that he saw a masked man in black shorts and shirt running from the scene where the three officers were killed.

Brady Vancel said the man looked like a pedestrian running with a rifle in his hand, rather than someone trained to move with a rifle.

Vancel said he had gone to work on a flooring job near the gas station when he heard semi-automatic gunfire and perhaps a handgun. He saw a man in a red shirt lying in an empty parking lot and "another gunman running away as more shots were being fired back and forth from several guns."

Of the two officers who survived the shooting, one was hospitalized in critical condition, and the other was in fair condition. Another officer was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, hospital officials said.

Each of the officers was married and had a family, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said.

The Baton Rouge attack unfolded hours after a domestic violence suspect opened fire early Sunday on a Milwaukee police officer who was sitting in his squad car. The officer was seriously wounded, and the suspect fled and apparently killed himself, authorities said.

Police-community relations in Baton Rouge have been especially tense since the death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling, a black man killed by white officers July 5 after a scuffle at a convenience store. The killing was captured on widely circulated cellphone video.

It was followed a day later by the shooting death of another black man in Minnesota, whose girlfriend livestreamed the aftermath of his death on Facebook. The next day, a black gunman in Dallas opened fire on police at a protest about the police shootings, killing five officers and heightening tensions even further.

Thousands of people have protested Sterling's death, and Baton Rouge police arrested more than 200 demonstrators.

Sterling's nephew condemned the killing of the three Baton Rouge officers. Terrance Carter spoke Sunday to The Associated Press by telephone, saying the family just wants peace.

"My uncle wouldn't want this," Carter said. "He wasn't this type of man.

A few yards from a police roadblock on Airline Highway, Keimani Gardner was in the parking lot of a warehouse store that would ordinarily be bustling on a Sunday afternoon. He and his girlfriend both work there. But the store was closed because of the shooting.

"It's crazy. ... I understand some people feel like enough is enough with, you know, the black community being shot," said Gardner, an African-American. "But honestly, you can't solve violence with violence."

Michelle Rogers and her husband drove near the shooting scene, but were blocked at an intersection closed by police.

"I can't explain what brought us here," she said. "We just said a prayer in the car for the families."

___

Associated Press Writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-18

[arjunadawn]

It's really terrible and breathtaking. I'm keen on the author Malcolm Gladwell's books, in this case The Tipping Point. Fads abd trends and crowd hysteria do follow near predictable trends, at least key features. Regardless of the causes in the US right now-- real, imagined, contrived, or a mix, the fact is a certain critical mass takes place in crowd dynamics that then steers easily, and often tragically.

The left has long studied this agitprop 'technology;' much of the original work was done by Soviets. They didn't invent this crowd dynamic (swarming), like birds or schools of fish, but they perfected it. I'd argue that the advent of social media effectively obliterates time and space rendering a country like America, for example, essentially a large crowd.

So, whether or not there are just or unjust greviances this 'crowd' is essentially being steered. It certainly has key features of funding and training by organizations known to Shake n Bake revolutions. Example: RevCom Now (communist revolution now). These links cannot be dismissed by emotional charge. There real!

Lastly, it's beyond credulity that these actions, events, and instigations are all conspiring in time and place to leverage agenda. Sadly, I fear these deaths and injuries will not subside until Americans are cowered into concessions (national police, etc) they would otherwise never have chosen. RIP

[Boon Mee]

Is anyone surprised? A community organizer from Chicago is elected president and America is on fire.

He said there would be fundamental change and he delivered.

[Somtamnication]

Idiotic statement. This is a failure of community policing, not nationwide politics.

Shootings like this will force an even deeper militarization of the police. It started when I left the force 15 years ago and it is only going to get tighter.

[Caps]

Looking at it as an outsider there has been a lot of Black killings which may/could have being avoided. It was only a matter of time before some people flipped and with guns being readily available its only going to go oneway! (and no I am not anti gun, just stating)

My condolences to the families

[Boon Mee]

The Divider in Chief is an accurate description of Obama

To wit:

PRESIDENT CALLS ON AMERICANS TO AVOID DIVISIVE RHETORIC...

FLASHBACK OBAMA: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...

This abject failure cannot be gone too soon.

[Chicog]

Obama says stupid people shouldn't make inane comments.

Didn't you read your own link?

[Boon Mee]

Baton Rouge Shooter Gavin Eugene Long Was Nation Of Islam Member, Railed Against ‘Crackers’ On YouTube Channel

If it weren't for Obama's devisive rhetoric, those cops would be alive today.

[stevenl]

The Divider in Chief is an accurate description of Obama

To wit:

PRESIDENT CALLS ON AMERICANS TO AVOID DIVISIVE RHETORIC...

FLASHBACK OBAMA: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...

This abject failure cannot be gone too soon.

Says the one who spread made up stories about the man shot in Minnesota.

It is people like you and the people you're following that are the dividers.

[Chicog]

Pretty unequivocal but that doesn't matter to morons.

""I condemn, in the strongest sense of the word, the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge. For the second time in two weeks, police officers who put their lives on the line for ours every day were doing their job when they were killed in a cowardly and reprehensible assault. These are attacks on public servants, on the rule of law, and on civilized society, and they have to stop.

"I’ve offered my full support, and the full support of the federal government, to Governor Edwards, Mayor Holden, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Baton Rouge Police Department. And make no mistake – justice will be done."

[Boon Mee]

The Divider in Chief is an accurate description of Obama

To wit:

PRESIDENT CALLS ON AMERICANS TO AVOID DIVISIVE RHETORIC...

FLASHBACK OBAMA: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...

This abject failure cannot be gone too soon.

Says the one who spread made up stories about the man shot in Minnesota.

It is people like you and the people you're following that are the dividers.

Au contraire - that gangbanger in Minnesota was wanted on felony armed robbery warrents and was carring w/out a permit.

But these terrorists are not the problem - it's folks like yourself who give them bad reviews online who are the essential problem.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/07/08/confirmed-philando-castile-was-an-armed-robbery-suspect-false-media-narrative-now-driving-cop-killings/

Edited July 18, 2016 by Boon Mee

[Boon Mee]

Gavin Long Nation of Islam speaks:

Listen as I chop up game with a brotha in my ride https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5QHKoA3Kg

[JAG]

^^^^

The only link between these creatures and Mr Obama is that they both have similar skin pigmentation.

You simply have never been able to come to terms with the fact that the USA elected a black man as president, and now they are about to elect a woman!

Oh my you are having a bad decade aren't you?

[stevenl]

The Divider in Chief is an accurate description of Obama

To wit:

PRESIDENT CALLS ON AMERICANS TO AVOID DIVISIVE RHETORIC...

FLASHBACK OBAMA: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...

This abject failure cannot be gone too soon.

Says the one who spread made up stories about the man shot in Minnesota.

It is people like you and the people you're following that are the dividers.

Au contraire - that gangbanger in Minnesota was wanted on felony armed robbery warrents and was carring w/out a permit.

But these terrorists are not the problem - it's folks like yourself who give them bad reviews online who are the essential problem.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/07/08/confirmed-philando-castile-was-an-armed-robbery-suspect-false-media-narrative-now-driving-cop-killings/

Again, not true. Read your own link, he was not wanted. Edited July 18, 2016 by stevenl

[happy Joe]

Looking at it as an outsider there has been a lot of Black killings which may/could have being avoided. It was only a matter of time before some people flipped and with guns being readily available its only going to go oneway! (and no I am not anti gun, just stating)

My condolences to the families

You know a simple truck can be more destructive ...

Each week brings a lot of desperate acts by people with reduced Faculties.

Will he establish a society alive degree?

My condolences to the families of innocent victims.

[Boon Mee]

The Divider in Chief is an accurate description of Obama

To wit:

PRESIDENT CALLS ON AMERICANS TO AVOID DIVISIVE RHETORIC...

FLASHBACK OBAMA: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...

This abject failure cannot be gone too soon.

Says the one who spread made up stories about the man shot in Minnesota.

It is people like you and the people you're following that are the dividers.

Au contraire - that gangbanger in Minnesota was wanted on felony armed robbery warrents and was carring w/out a permit.

But these terrorists are not the problem - it's folks like yourself who give them bad reviews online who are the essential problem.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/07/08/confirmed-philando-castile-was-an-armed-robbery-suspect-false-media-narrative-now-driving-cop-killings/

Again, not true. Read your own link, he was not wanted.

Of course he was - read the details again:

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/07/08/the-curious-case-of-philando-castile-falcon-heights-mn-police-shooting/

"Wouldn’t it be entirely plausible for a rather concerned police officer to be additionally, well, twitchy perhaps, about a possible armed robbery suspect -pulled over- who identifies he is armed inside the vehicle, and then makes an unanticipated movement toward…"

The Judge just hadn't signed the warrent for that specific gangbanger at the time.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Boon Mee

[shirtless]

I would not want to live in America , The police are heavy handed as footage has shown , this reaction is hardly a surprise. You keep pushing these citizens buttons , something has to give.It clearly shows us Racism is a two way street,

[JDGRUEN]

^^^^

The only link between these creatures and Mr Obama is that they both have similar skin pigmentation.

You simply have never been able to come to terms with the fact that the USA elected a black man as president, and now they are about to elect a woman!

Oh my you are having a bad decade aren't you?

You seem to never read anything Obama says or does outside what is filtered by the Leftist media. Obama just held meetings with BLM members in the White House extolling their virtues ... AFTER weeks and months of BLM rioting all over the United States... But that is not divisive to a brainwashed leftist.

[Boon Mee]

Typical - a petition with over 151K names to refer to BLM as a terrorist organization was rebuffed by Barry.

He will not recognize the the damage he's inflicted upon America and the World wearing blinders to the fact that Radical Muslims want to kill us.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-responds-to-petition-to-label-black-lives-matter-a-terror-group/

[stevenl]

The Divider in Chief is an accurate description of Obama
To wit:

PRESIDENT CALLS ON AMERICANS TO AVOID DIVISIVE RHETORIC...

FLASHBACK OBAMA: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...

This abject failure cannot be gone too soon.

Says the one who spread made up stories about the man shot in Minnesota.
It is people like you and the people you're following that are the dividers.

Au contraire - that gangbanger in Minnesota was wanted on felony armed robbery warrents and was carring w/out a permit.
But these terrorists are not the problem - it's folks like yourself who give them bad reviews online who are the essential problem.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/07/08/confirmed-philando-castile-was-an-armed-robbery-suspect-false-media-narrative-now-driving-cop-killings/

Again, not true. Read your own link, he was not wanted.

Of course he was - read the details again:

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/07/08/the-curious-case-of-philando-castile-falcon-heights-mn-police-shooting/

"Wouldn’t it be entirely plausible for a rather concerned police officer to be additionally, well, twitchy perhaps, about a possible armed robbery suspect -pulled over- who identifies he is armed inside the vehicle, and then makes an unanticipated movement toward…"

The Judge just hadn't signed the warrent for that specific gangbanger at the time.

He was not a suspect.

[Boon Mee]

One of the central problems is the Left Wing Press. Here's a perfect example:

MSNBC Characterizes Baton Rouge Shooter As Member Of Right-Wing Anti-Government "Sovereign Citizen" Militia Group

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/07/17/msnbc_characterizes_baton_rouge_shooter_as_member_of_sovereign_citizen_militia_group.html

Now if y'all get your 'News' soley from these flacks, you're brainwashed into believing up is down, right is wrong and Obama isn't responsible for the race relations becoming worse.

Believe it was Sherriff Clarke in Dallas who stated after Obama America will have to go through a period of Reconstruction.

Got that right...

[mopar71]

Obama says stupid people shouldn't make inane comments.

Didn't you read your own link?

Too bad he didn't take his own advice.

[Boon Mee]

This Facebook post is very sad:

Facebook Post From Baton Rouge Police Officer Killed Today Is Going Viral

http://collegespun.com/extra-credit/facebook-post-from-baton-rouge-police-officer-killed-today-is-going-viral-lsu

The words of BR Police officer killed today. Please listen to him.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Boon Mee

[stevenl]

One of the central problems is the Left Wing Press. Here's a perfect example:

MSNBC Characterizes Baton Rouge Shooter As Member Of Right-Wing Anti-Government "Sovereign Citizen" Militia Group

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/07/17/msnbc_characterizes_baton_rouge_shooter_as_member_of_sovereign_citizen_militia_group.html

Now if y'all get your 'News' soley from these flacks, you're brainwashed into believing up is down, right is wrong and Obama isn't responsible for the race relations becoming worse.

Believe it was Sherriff Clarke in Dallas who stated after Obama America will have to go through a period of Reconstruction.

Got that right...

It is called main stream media for a reason. If you want to call 'main stream' 'left' that says a lot more about you than the msm.

[Caps]

Looking at it as an outsider there has been a lot of Black killings which may/could have being avoided. It was only a matter of time before some people flipped and with guns being readily available its only going to go oneway! (and no I am not anti gun, just stating)

My condolences to the families

You know a simple truck can be more destructive ...

Each week brings a lot of desperate acts by people with reduced Faculties.

Will he establish a society alive degree?

My condolences to the families of innocent victims.

Really, thanks for that!

Edited July 18, 2016 by Caps

[sanukjim]

So ten to one the shooter was BLACK.

[Pimay1]

So ten to one the shooter was BLACK.

Yes he was black and a former member of the Nation of Islam.

[bark]

Idiotic statement. This is a failure of community policing, not nationwide politics.

Shootings like this will force an even deeper militarization of the police. It started when I left the force 15 years ago and it is only going to get tighter.

So this is your fault ! You should go back to the police force Thank you for your service.

[Steely Dan]

Perhaps instead of doing something useful like designating BLM as a terrorist organization the progressives can push for an investigation to make sure no robot was involved with the death of the murderer.

[JDGRUEN]

One of the central problems is the Left Wing Press. Here's a perfect example:

MSNBC Characterizes Baton Rouge Shooter As Member Of Right-Wing Anti-Government "Sovereign Citizen" Militia Group

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/07/17/msnbc_characterizes_baton_rouge_shooter_as_member_of_sovereign_citizen_militia_group.html

Now if y'all get your 'News' soley from these flacks, you're brainwashed into believing up is down, right is wrong and Obama isn't responsible for the race relations becoming worse.

Believe it was Sherriff Clarke in Dallas who stated after Obama America will have to go through a period of Reconstruction.

Got that right...

It is called main stream media for a reason. If you want to call 'main stream' 'left' that says a lot more about you than the msm.

If you do not know that the 'main stream news media' in America has gone off the Leftist cliff from their mere Liberal stance of 40 years and more duration - then you live in the cave of ignorance and denial. Most so called journalists are registered Democrats and contribute to liberal - leftist - progressive candidates like Obama and Hillary - and every other Liberal and Leftist political candidate. Journalistic ethics were near completely abandoned in America beginning some 15 years ago. "Journalists" today are products of universities where the faculty are 98% liberal / leftist / socialist. But in your self imposed naivete you refuse to google and read the studies and even if stumbled across you would not believe them or more likely even read them. Main Stream Media in America does not mean balanced, fair, ethical or any other word other than built in liberal / leftist / progressive / socialist bias. The reason for the bias is that liberals / leftist believe that they are the 'Right Thinkers' and that anyone who thinks contrary to their beliefs are wacko loons and that Conservative thinking, theory and words should be deleted, removed and abolished. The prime example of this is the religious zeal of Global Warming // Human induced climate change... This slanted Leftist Zealotry when reporting on human induced climate change approaches that of a religious cult - attempting to ban all other thought.

Now we are in the middle of an extraordinary SLANTED Leftist Media campaign relative to the proven terrorist acts of Black Lives Matter. The American news media of today obscures and ignores facts that are contrary to their biased narrative to prove cops are always in the wrong and that rioting thugs are innocent people - all automatically done in the Leftist Media's zealotry to invent social memes contrary to authority.