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Baton Rouge: Three US police officers shot dead Baton Rouge: Three US police officers shot dead
(about 1 hour later)
Three police officers have been killed and three injured in a shooting in the southern US city of Baton Rouge.Three police officers have been killed and three injured in a shooting in the southern US city of Baton Rouge.
One suspect is dead and two others may still be at large. Witnesses reported a man firing indiscriminately. A suspect shot dead at the scene was thought to be the only gunman involved, police said. Reports earlier suggested there was more than one gunman.
Police in the Louisiana state capital warned residents to stay away from the scene of the shooting, which was near the police headquarters and a highway. There was no "active shooting scenario" in the city now, Louisiana Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson said.
It follows the recent killing of a black man by police in Baton Rouge, which sparked protests. The incident follows the recent killing of a black man by police in Baton Rouge, which sparked protests.
That, and another police killing in Minnesota, triggered a revenge attack by a black army veteran who shot dead five officers in the city of Dallas.That, and another police killing in Minnesota, triggered a revenge attack by a black army veteran who shot dead five officers in the city of Dallas.
President Barack Obama said in a statement: "I condemn, in the strongest sense of the word, the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge."President Barack Obama said in a statement: "I condemn, in the strongest sense of the word, the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge."
He said there was no justification for violence against law enforcement and such attacks "are the work of cowards who speak for no-one". He said there was no justification for violence against law enforcement and such attacks "are the work of cowards who speak for no one".
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the FBI and other federal agents are at the scene in Baton Rouge and would help with investigations "to the fullest extent possible", Reuters reported.US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the FBI and other federal agents are at the scene in Baton Rouge and would help with investigations "to the fullest extent possible", Reuters reported.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told a news conference it was an "absolutely unspeakable, heinous attack."
Mobile phone footage from Baton Rouge showed police cars arriving at a road intersection. Several shots were then heard.Mobile phone footage from Baton Rouge showed police cars arriving at a road intersection. Several shots were then heard.
Police are reported to be using a robot to check for explosives at the scene. Officers were responding to a report of a man carrying a rifle along a major motorway, Colonel Edmonson told a news conference. He said the gunman was dressed all in black.
The local sheriff's department spokeswoman told WAFB TV the incident began shortly before 09:00 local time (15:00 GMT) and was being treated as "an active situation", with road closures in the area. Witnesses reported a man firing indiscriminately.
She said officers had responded to reports of shooting. A witness interviewed by the station said the shooting appeared to have broken out before law enforcement officers arrived at the scene. "We believe that the person who shot and killed our officers, that he was the person that was shot and killed at the scene," Col Edmonson said.
US media outlets are naming the gunman as Gavin Long, 29, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Two of the dead were Baton Rouge police officers and one was an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office deputy. All three were married and had family.
One of the injured was in a critical condition, while the other two were in a stable condition.
The local sheriff's department spokeswoman told WAFB TV the incident began shortly before 09:00 local time (14:00 GMT).
A witness interviewed by the station said the shooting appeared to have broken out before law enforcement officers arrived at the scene.
Witness Brady Vancel told WAFB he saw what may have been gang members shooting at each other before police arrived.Witness Brady Vancel told WAFB he saw what may have been gang members shooting at each other before police arrived.
Another witness said she saw a gunman wearing a black mask and military-style clothing.Another witness said she saw a gunman wearing a black mask and military-style clothing.
The condition of one of the injured officers taken to hospital has been described as critical, while another has been described as being in a "fair" condition. A third has non-life threatening injuries.
Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden said he had spoken to White House officials who had offered assistance. He said it was "a defining moment" for community relations.Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden said he had spoken to White House officials who had offered assistance. He said it was "a defining moment" for community relations.
But he also told local media the "rhetoric from some people" after the death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge may be connected to the shootings, without elaborating who.But he also told local media the "rhetoric from some people" after the death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge may be connected to the shootings, without elaborating who.
"Everything's been anti-police," he said."Everything's been anti-police," he said.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said on Twitter: "This is an unspeakable and unjustifiable attack on all of us at a time when we need unity and healing.
"Rest assured, every resource available to the state of Louisiana will be used to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice."
Are you in the area? Please stay safe. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in the area? Please stay safe. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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