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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/jul/17/baton-rouge-police-officers-shooting-louisiana
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| Version 20 | Version 21 |
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| Baton Rouge shootings: gunman who killed three policemen was former marine – as it happened | Baton Rouge shootings: gunman who killed three policemen was former marine – as it happened |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| 5.42am BST | 5.42am BST |
| 05:42 | 05:42 |
| We’re closing the blog now. Thanks for reading. | We’re closing the blog now. Thanks for reading. |
| 5.10am BST | 5.10am BST |
| 05:10 | 05:10 |
| SUMMARY | SUMMARY |
| Before we wind up the blog, here is a summary of the key events of the day in Baton Rouge. | Before we wind up the blog, here is a summary of the key events of the day in Baton Rouge. |
| 3.50am BST | 3.50am BST |
| 03:50 | 03:50 |
| Two 'persons of interest' are released | Two 'persons of interest' are released |
| Two “persons of interests” who were detained earlier in relation to the shootings have been released, state police said. | Two “persons of interests” who were detained earlier in relation to the shootings have been released, state police said. |
| Major Doug Cain said late on Sunday night that the individuals from the nearby town of Addis were questioned and released but that the investigation was still ongoing, Associated Press reported. He said no charges were filed against them. | Major Doug Cain said late on Sunday night that the individuals from the nearby town of Addis were questioned and released but that the investigation was still ongoing, Associated Press reported. He said no charges were filed against them. |
| Cain said authorities are still looking to see if the man who opened fire on police in Baton Rouge had any help “indirectly, directly here or at home”. | Cain said authorities are still looking to see if the man who opened fire on police in Baton Rouge had any help “indirectly, directly here or at home”. |
| AP has also reported that some police departments in the area are now doubling up their patrols in the wake of the shooting. | AP has also reported that some police departments in the area are now doubling up their patrols in the wake of the shooting. |
| 3.31am BST | 3.31am BST |
| 03:31 | 03:31 |
| Switching back again to the police victims of the shootings, it has emerged that one of the dead officers had only recently joined the force. | Switching back again to the police victims of the shootings, it has emerged that one of the dead officers had only recently joined the force. |
| Matthew Gerald, 41, had served for the city’s force for less than a year, according to the department’s Facebook page. | Matthew Gerald, 41, had served for the city’s force for less than a year, according to the department’s Facebook page. |
| The post praised Gerald and his colleague Montrell Jackson, who had been with the force for a decade. | The post praised Gerald and his colleague Montrell Jackson, who had been with the force for a decade. |
| Both of these men were assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau and were great examples of what it means to protect and serve – a mission they demonstrated through their work at the department and in their daily lives. | Both of these men were assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau and were great examples of what it means to protect and serve – a mission they demonstrated through their work at the department and in their daily lives. |
| The other officer killed was East Baton Rouge parish sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola, 45, a father of four, local media reported, citing sheriff Sid Gautreaux and Garafola’s wife, Tonja. | The other officer killed was East Baton Rouge parish sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola, 45, a father of four, local media reported, citing sheriff Sid Gautreaux and Garafola’s wife, Tonja. |
| “He loved us so much,” Tonja Garafola has told the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper. “He didn’t deserve this.” | “He loved us so much,” Tonja Garafola has told the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper. “He didn’t deserve this.” |
| The sheriff’s office said that two deputies – Nicholas Tullier, 41, and Bruce Simmons, 51 – were injured in the attack. Tullier was in critical condition while Simmons has non-life threatening injuries. | The sheriff’s office said that two deputies – Nicholas Tullier, 41, and Bruce Simmons, 51 – were injured in the attack. Tullier was in critical condition while Simmons has non-life threatening injuries. |
| A third police officer was injured but has not yet been identified. | A third police officer was injured but has not yet been identified. |
| 2.55am BST | 2.55am BST |
| 02:55 | 02:55 |
| President Barack Obama has strongly condemned the killings, saying there was no justification for the use of violence. | President Barack Obama has strongly condemned the killings, saying there was no justification for the use of violence. |
| Read the full story on the president’s response to the shootings here: | Read the full story on the president’s response to the shootings here: |
| 2.49am BST | 2.49am BST |
| 02:49 | 02:49 |
| 2.36am BST | 2.36am BST |
| 02:36 | 02:36 |
| Shooter had urged 'fight back' against police violence | Shooter had urged 'fight back' against police violence |
| Our reporter Jon Swaine has updated his profile piece about the man identified as the Baton Rouge gunman, Gavin Long. | Our reporter Jon Swaine has updated his profile piece about the man identified as the Baton Rouge gunman, Gavin Long. |
| Long, who used the pseudonym “Cosmo Setepenra”, left behind an online trail featuring complaints about the treatment of African Americans by police, Jon writes, including one video in which he urged black people to “fight back”. | Long, who used the pseudonym “Cosmo Setepenra”, left behind an online trail featuring complaints about the treatment of African Americans by police, Jon writes, including one video in which he urged black people to “fight back”. |
| Long also described the fatal shooting of five police officers in Dallas earlier this month as “justice” and urged urged black men to make sacrifices for their race. | Long also described the fatal shooting of five police officers in Dallas earlier this month as “justice” and urged urged black men to make sacrifices for their race. |
| “I thought my own thoughts, I made my own decisions – I’m the one who’s gotta listen to the judgment,” he said in another clip. | “I thought my own thoughts, I made my own decisions – I’m the one who’s gotta listen to the judgment,” he said in another clip. |
| Read Jon Swaine’s fully updated piece here: | Read Jon Swaine’s fully updated piece here: |
| 2.24am BST | 2.24am BST |
| 02:24 | 02:24 |
| One of the dead policemen, Montrell Jackson, posted an emotional message on Facebook in the days following the killing of Alton Sterling after a scuffle with Baton Rouge police at a convenience store. | One of the dead policemen, Montrell Jackson, posted an emotional message on Facebook in the days following the killing of Alton Sterling after a scuffle with Baton Rouge police at a convenience store. |
| In the post, Jackson describes the difficulty of being a black man and a police officer in the city in the wake of Sterling’s death. | In the post, Jackson describes the difficulty of being a black man and a police officer in the city in the wake of Sterling’s death. |
| “I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me,” Jackson wrote. “I’ve experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core.” | “I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me,” Jackson wrote. “I’ve experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core.” |
| 2.06am BST | 2.06am BST |
| 02:06 | 02:06 |
| Three police victims named | Three police victims named |
| The three police officers killed in the shootings have been named. | The three police officers killed in the shootings have been named. |
| Montrell Jackson, 32, was described by his father-in-law Lonnie Jordan as a “gentle giant ... tall and stout and formidable looking”, but with a peaceful disposition. | Montrell Jackson, 32, was described by his father-in-law Lonnie Jordan as a “gentle giant ... tall and stout and formidable looking”, but with a peaceful disposition. |
| Jordan, speaking to reporters on the front lawn of Jackson’s house in the rural Livingston parish, said his son-in-law was “always about peace” and had been working long hours since the death of Alton Sterling and the resulting protests. | Jordan, speaking to reporters on the front lawn of Jackson’s house in the rural Livingston parish, said his son-in-law was “always about peace” and had been working long hours since the death of Alton Sterling and the resulting protests. |
| The other two victims were Matthew Gerald, 41, and sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola, 45. | The other two victims were Matthew Gerald, 41, and sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola, 45. |
| 1.31am BST | 1.31am BST |
| 01:31 | 01:31 |
| More details are emerging from various media outlets about the shooting suspect Gavin Long. | More details are emerging from various media outlets about the shooting suspect Gavin Long. |
| Long served in the Marines for five years, from August 2005 to August 2010, according to a report in the New York Times, citing Yvonne Carlock, the deputy public affairs officer for the US Marines. Long was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 to January 2009, the Times reported. | Long served in the Marines for five years, from August 2005 to August 2010, according to a report in the New York Times, citing Yvonne Carlock, the deputy public affairs officer for the US Marines. Long was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 to January 2009, the Times reported. |
| Reuters reported that public records showed Long had lived in Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri. He had also lived in San Diego and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. | Reuters reported that public records showed Long had lived in Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri. He had also lived in San Diego and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. |
| Long was on the University of Alabama dean’s honor list in 2012, school records showed, acording to Reuters. | Long was on the University of Alabama dean’s honor list in 2012, school records showed, acording to Reuters. |
| 1.00am BST | 1.00am BST |
| 01:00 | 01:00 |
| Gunman 'was former marine' | Gunman 'was former marine' |
| Gavin Long, the man named by police as the Baton Rouge shooter, left an online trail which indicated he used the alias “Cosmo Setepenra”, my colleague Jon Swaine reports here. | Gavin Long, the man named by police as the Baton Rouge shooter, left an online trail which indicated he used the alias “Cosmo Setepenra”, my colleague Jon Swaine reports here. |
| It is believed Long was a former US marine who served in Iraq. | It is believed Long was a former US marine who served in Iraq. |
| Jon writes: | Jon writes: |
| An author profile for Cosmo Setepenra described him as a US Marines veteran who reached the rank of sergeant (E-5) . CBS reported on Sunday that Gavin Long was discharged from the marines in 2010 after reaching the same rank. | An author profile for Cosmo Setepenra described him as a US Marines veteran who reached the rank of sergeant (E-5) . CBS reported on Sunday that Gavin Long was discharged from the marines in 2010 after reaching the same rank. |
| A Facebook page in the name of Cosmo Setepenra was taken down late on Sunday afternoon, following the shootings in Louisiana, which left three officers dead and three wounded, one critically. It was unclear why the page was taken down. | A Facebook page in the name of Cosmo Setepenra was taken down late on Sunday afternoon, following the shootings in Louisiana, which left three officers dead and three wounded, one critically. It was unclear why the page was taken down. |
| An image of ‘Cosmo Setepenra’ taken from Facebook. Photograph: Facebook. | An image of ‘Cosmo Setepenra’ taken from Facebook. Photograph: Facebook. |
| A recent posting by the account’s owner had stated: “Violence is not THE answer (it is a answer), but at what point do you stand up so that you and your people dont become the Native Americans...EXTINCT?” | A recent posting by the account’s owner had stated: “Violence is not THE answer (it is a answer), but at what point do you stand up so that you and your people dont become the Native Americans...EXTINCT?” |
| Two photographs posted on the page featured black children holding a piece of paper reading: “JUSTICE FOR ALL THE BLACK AMERICANS. | Two photographs posted on the page featured black children holding a piece of paper reading: “JUSTICE FOR ALL THE BLACK AMERICANS. |
| Read Jon’s full report here: | Read Jon’s full report here: |
| 12.48am BST | 12.48am BST |
| 00:48 | 00:48 |
| Law enforcement converge on house in Kansas City – reports | Law enforcement converge on house in Kansas City – reports |
| Armed law enforcement officers have converged on a house in Kansas City, Missouri where it is believed that the shooting suspect, Gavin Long, lived or used to live. | Armed law enforcement officers have converged on a house in Kansas City, Missouri where it is believed that the shooting suspect, Gavin Long, lived or used to live. |
| Some officers had weapons drawn from behind trees at the house listed in Long’s name, Associated Press reported. Other officers took cover behind cars. | Some officers had weapons drawn from behind trees at the house listed in Long’s name, Associated Press reported. Other officers took cover behind cars. |
| A reporter from the Kansas City Star newspaper had earlier knocked at the house and was “met at the door by a man with a long gun who declined to comment”. | A reporter from the Kansas City Star newspaper had earlier knocked at the house and was “met at the door by a man with a long gun who declined to comment”. |
| 10.53pm BST | 10.53pm BST |
| 22:53 | 22:53 |
| Here's where things stand | Here's where things stand |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.00pm BST | at 11.00pm BST |
| 10.12pm BST | 10.12pm BST |
| 22:12 | 22:12 |
| Obama: Americans must act to create unity | Obama: Americans must act to create unity |
| Obama says that it falls on Americans to make “the decision to make sure that our best selves are reflected across America, not our worst. That’s up to us.” | Obama says that it falls on Americans to make “the decision to make sure that our best selves are reflected across America, not our worst. That’s up to us.” |
| “We have our divisions, and they are not new. Around the clock news cycles and social media can intensify these divisions,” he says, but adds “is so important that everyone, regardless of race or politics or profession, [that] everyone right now focus on words and actions that can unite this country rather than divide it further.” | “We have our divisions, and they are not new. Around the clock news cycles and social media can intensify these divisions,” he says, but adds “is so important that everyone, regardless of race or politics or profession, [that] everyone right now focus on words and actions that can unite this country rather than divide it further.” |
| “We don’t need inflammatory rhetoric,” he continues. “We need to temper our words and open our hearts. All of us. We need what we saw in Dallas this week, as a community came tother to restore order. | “We don’t need inflammatory rhetoric,” he continues. “We need to temper our words and open our hearts. All of us. We need what we saw in Dallas this week, as a community came tother to restore order. |
| He urges calm and unity at the coming political conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia, and asks the people planning to attend to temper their rhetoric. | He urges calm and unity at the coming political conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia, and asks the people planning to attend to temper their rhetoric. |
| “My fellow Americans only we can prove through words and through deeds that we cannot be divided, and we’re going to have to keep on doing it again, and again, and again. … Only we can prove that we have the grace and the character and the common humanity to end this kind of senseless violence.” | “My fellow Americans only we can prove through words and through deeds that we cannot be divided, and we’re going to have to keep on doing it again, and again, and again. … Only we can prove that we have the grace and the character and the common humanity to end this kind of senseless violence.” |
| 10.09pm BST | 10.09pm BST |
| 22:09 | 22:09 |
| Obama: attack was against all US | Obama: attack was against all US |
| Barack Obama is addressing the nation on the attacks. | Barack Obama is addressing the nation on the attacks. |
| “Right now we don’t know the motive of the killer. we don’t know whether the killer set out to target police officers or whether he mowed them down [for another reason].” | “Right now we don’t know the motive of the killer. we don’t know whether the killer set out to target police officers or whether he mowed them down [for another reason].” |
| But the attack, Obama says, “underscores the danger that police across the country confront every single day.” | But the attack, Obama says, “underscores the danger that police across the country confront every single day.” |
| “We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence against law enforcement,” he continues, adding that attacks on police are “attacks against all of us and the rule of law that makes society possible”. | “We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence against law enforcement,” he continues, adding that attacks on police are “attacks against all of us and the rule of law that makes society possible”. |
| He says he offered the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of Baton Rogue his full support, and that he spoke with attorney general Loretta Lynch. | He says he offered the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of Baton Rogue his full support, and that he spoke with attorney general Loretta Lynch. |
| “Most of all our hearts go out to the families who are still grieving, our prayers go out to the officer still fighting for his life.” | “Most of all our hearts go out to the families who are still grieving, our prayers go out to the officer still fighting for his life.” |
| “This happens far too often,” he adds. “Whenever this happens, wherever this happens, you feel it.” | “This happens far too often,” he adds. “Whenever this happens, wherever this happens, you feel it.” |
| “Five days ago I traveled to Dallas for the memorial service of the officers who were slain there. I said that that killer would not be the last person who tries to make us turn on each other.” He adds that this killer likely will not be the last either. | “Five days ago I traveled to Dallas for the memorial service of the officers who were slain there. I said that that killer would not be the last person who tries to make us turn on each other.” He adds that this killer likely will not be the last either. |
| “It remains upon us to ensure that they fail.” | “It remains upon us to ensure that they fail.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.09pm BST | at 10.09pm BST |
| 10.03pm BST | 10.03pm BST |
| 22:03 | 22:03 |
| Police detain 'persons of interest' | Police detain 'persons of interest' |
| Major Doug Cain has said that although police believe only one gunman killed police, “we are not ready to say he acted alone,” the AP reports. | Major Doug Cain has said that although police believe only one gunman killed police, “we are not ready to say he acted alone,” the AP reports. |
| Cain said that two “persons of interest” had been detained in another town called Addis, which is near Baton Rouge. He provided no more details. | Cain said that two “persons of interest” had been detained in another town called Addis, which is near Baton Rouge. He provided no more details. |