Three police officers were killed in Baton Rouge Sunday morning while three others were wounded by a suspect who may have targeted law enforcement agents.
One of the injured police officers is in critical condition, said Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police.
The shooter was identified as Gavin Long, 29, from Kansas City, Missouri. A police spokesman said that suspect was killed in an exchange of fire with police. The shooting occurred just before 9 a.m. Central Time.
The attack appears to have been an ambush, with police summoned to the scene via 911 in what may have been a trap and the suspect dressed for combat entirely in black. It appeared as of early Sunday evening that Long had acted alone, though two "persons of interest" were taken into custody for questioning.
J. Walter Green, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, said federal law enforcement agencies have offered "great" support to local officers in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux of East Baton Rouge said during a press conference Sunday afternoon that "this is not so much about gun control as it is about what's in men's hearts."
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04.26.2024