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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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| Baton Rouge: at least three police officers dead after shooting in Louisiana – live updates | Baton Rouge: at least three police officers dead after shooting in Louisiana – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.21pm BST | |
| 21:21 | |
| Governor: this was an unspeakable tragedy | |
| The governor speaks last. “The hatred just has to stop,” he says. “I wish the command of the English language that I have were adequate to the task to convey the full range of the emotions I am feeling.” | |
| He says that the tragedy is “unspeakable” that the officers “were taken out the way that they were”. | |
| “I want to reassure everyone here in Baton Rouge and around the state that we are doing everything possible to make sure that people are protected.” | |
| He says that everything will be done to bring “these perpetrators, if there’s more than one, to justice”. He also thanks the president. | |
| “We have to do better. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. And the people who carried out this attack, these individuals, they do not represent the people of Baton Rouge, or of Louisiana, or of our country. | |
| “There simply is no place for more violence. It doesn’t help anyone, it doesn’t further the conversation, it doesn’t address any injustice perceived or real,” he goes on. “And we are not going to tolerate any more violence.” | |
| He invites people around the US to pray for the officers still in hospitals, to “join with the folks of Louisiana in solidarity” – and to have a “constructive dialogue” with each other. | |
| None of the officials take questions. | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.24pm BST | |
| 9.17pm BST | |
| 21:17 | |
| “This is a sad day in Baton Rouge,” mayor Kip Holden says, urging people to “let peace prevail”. | |
| “The president has acknowledged this violence and will reiterate those things. The people that you see here today, let me say unequivocally … The president has responded to the needs of Baton Rouge. Not only that, the agencies you see here have always been partners with the state police, the sheriff’s office and the city police. | |
| “We are one family, all seeking justice for all of our people. So let me thank the president and Ms Jarrett for the calls we got.” | |
| He concludes by vowing to serve the families of the officers killed, and by thanking those officers. | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.25pm BST | |
| 9.15pm BST | |
| 21:15 | |
| “We’ll get through this as a family, we’ll get through this as a community,” Dabidie continues, holding back tears. “This is not going to tarnish this city or this department. We are going to move forward.” | |
| US attorney Walt Green then says that “all federal law enforcement assets that are needed will be given to this investigation.” | |
| “We have agents from the ATF, the FBI as well as the United States marshals office as well as from my office assisting with the investigation until justice is served.” | |
| 9.13pm BST | |
| 21:13 | |
| The sheriff makes an emotional statement: “With God’s help, we will get through this. | |
| “To me this is not so much about gun control as it is about what’s in men’s hearts. And until we come together as a nation, as a people, to heal as a people. If we don’t do that and this madness continues, we will surely perish as a people.” | |
| Baton Rouge chief Carl Dabidie asks for prayers for the community, saying that the officers killed were all veterans of the force. “This is a united front, make no mistake about that.” | |
| “Public safety remains our priority and we will continue to do our job in the light of what happened.” | |
| 9.10pm BST | |
| 21:10 | |
| Police describe timeline | |
| At about 8.40am, “a guy carrying a weapon, carrying a rifle, [was] walking in that particular area”of the convenience store, Edmonson says. | |
| “At approximately 8.40am officers observed an individual wearing all black near a beauty supply store,” he says of the initial report. About two minutes later shots were fired, he says. “At approximately 8.44am reports were received of officers down on the ground. At 8.46am reports were received of a suspect wearing all black standing near the car wash.” | |
| “Officers responded, engaged the suspect, and the suspect died at the scene.” | |
| Multiple officers were taken to the hospital. Three died from injuries – two from Baton Rouge police, and one 45 year old sheriff’s deputy. | |
| Two deputies were injured, as was an officer, and one of those three is in critical condition. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the community is grieving. “As law enforcement we are a family, and we stand here together, as you can see. But the number one priority is the protection of our community.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.26pm BST | |
| 9.06pm BST | |
| 21:06 | |
| State police: no active shooter in Baton Rouge | |
| “There is not an active shooter scenario in Baton Rouge, no active scenario that involves a shooter in the city of Baton Rouge,” Edmonson says. | |
| “We believe that the person that shot and killed our officers, that he is the person who was shot and killed at the scene.” | |
| “We do believe based on information, we have we believe the person who shot and killed our officers he is the person who was shot and killed at the scene.” | |
| He says police “do not believe we have any other shooter holed up”. | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.23pm BST | |
| 9.05pm BST | |
| 21:05 | |
| Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards with state police Colonel Mike Edmonson, the superintendent, then Baton Rouge sheriff Sid Gautreaux. | |
| Major Doug Cain says they’re going to provide everything they know. | |
| Edmonson speaks first. “We want and need your prayers, Baton Rouge is in need of your prayers right now.” | |
| He says it is an active investigation, “with a lot of moving parts right now”. | |
| “Let me make something clear right now, you’re getting a lot of information right now, interviewing a lot of people … If it does not come from myself, the chief of polcie … or the East Baton Rouge sheriff … we cannot confirm it as being factual.” | |
| He says there’s going to be another press conference on Monday at 1pm local time. | |
| 8.57pm BST | |
| 20:57 | |
| The city of Baton Rouge is soliciting tips in the investigation as officers continue to search for suspects that they believe are still at large. | |
| 1/2: If you have any tips that may help in our investigation, please contact #BatonRouge Crime Stoppers - call 344-STOP (7867) | |
| 2/2: You can also text any tips to #BatonRouge Crime Stoppers by sending "CS225 plus your message" to 274637 (CRIMES) | |
| And Steve Hardy, a reporter with the Louisiana paper the Advocate, tweets that there are plans for a vigil this evening in Baton Rouge. | |
| St. Amant fire is organizing the first memorial I've heard about - 6 p.m. at the station on Stringer Bridge road. Bring candles. All welcome | |
| 8.38pm BST | 8.38pm BST |
| 20:38 | 20:38 |
| Alan Yuhas | Alan Yuhas |
| Barack Obama has called Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden to learn the latest on the investigation, a White House official has told reporters. | Barack Obama has called Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden to learn the latest on the investigation, a White House official has told reporters. |
| From the official: | From the official: |
| The President pledged any support from the federal government that is needed by local authorities. He also offered his condolences on behalf of the country to the families of the officers who were killed. | The President pledged any support from the federal government that is needed by local authorities. He also offered his condolences on behalf of the country to the families of the officers who were killed. |
| Obama has announced that he will address the nation at 4.30pm ET, just after an update from the governor of Louisiana at 4pm, (3pm local time). | Obama has announced that he will address the nation at 4.30pm ET, just after an update from the governor of Louisiana at 4pm, (3pm local time). |
| 8.30pm BST | 8.30pm BST |
| 20:30 | 20:30 |
| Alan Yuhas | Alan Yuhas |
| FBI agents are on the scene in Baton Rouge and assisting with the investigation, attorney general Loretta Lynch has said in a statement. | FBI agents are on the scene in Baton Rouge and assisting with the investigation, attorney general Loretta Lynch has said in a statement. |
| “I have been briefed on the ongoing situation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I will continue to monitor events throughout the day. Although information about this morning’s incident is still coming in, we do know that at least three officers are feared dead and several others are wounded. Agents from the FBI and ATF are on the scene, and the Department of Justice will make available victim services and federal funding support, and will provide investigative assistance to the fullest extent possible. | “I have been briefed on the ongoing situation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I will continue to monitor events throughout the day. Although information about this morning’s incident is still coming in, we do know that at least three officers are feared dead and several others are wounded. Agents from the FBI and ATF are on the scene, and the Department of Justice will make available victim services and federal funding support, and will provide investigative assistance to the fullest extent possible. |
| “For the second time in two weeks, multiple law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. There is no place in the Untied States for such appalling violence, and I condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms. I pledge the full support of the Department of Justice as the investigation unfolds. Our hearts and prayers are with the fallen and wounded officers, their families, and the entire Baton Rouge community in this extraordinarily difficult time.” | “For the second time in two weeks, multiple law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. There is no place in the Untied States for such appalling violence, and I condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms. I pledge the full support of the Department of Justice as the investigation unfolds. Our hearts and prayers are with the fallen and wounded officers, their families, and the entire Baton Rouge community in this extraordinarily difficult time.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.31pm BST | at 8.31pm BST |
| 8.04pm BST | 8.04pm BST |
| 20:04 | 20:04 |
| The US president Barack Obama has condemned “in the strongest sense of the word” the shootings. | The US president Barack Obama has condemned “in the strongest sense of the word” the shootings. |
| 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 civilised society, and they have to stop. | 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 civilised 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. | 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. |
| We may not yet know the motives for this attack, but I want to be clear: there is no justification for violence against law enforcement. None. These attacks are the work of cowards who speak for no one. They right no wrongs. They advance no causes. The officers in Baton Rouge; the officers in Dallas – they were our fellow Americans, part of our community, part of our country, with people who loved and needed them, and who need us now – all of us – to be at our best. | We may not yet know the motives for this attack, but I want to be clear: there is no justification for violence against law enforcement. None. These attacks are the work of cowards who speak for no one. They right no wrongs. They advance no causes. The officers in Baton Rouge; the officers in Dallas – they were our fellow Americans, part of our community, part of our country, with people who loved and needed them, and who need us now – all of us – to be at our best. |
| Today, on the Lord’s day, all of us stand united in prayer with the people of Baton Rouge, with the police officers who’ve been wounded, and with the grieving families of the fallen. May God bless them all. | Today, on the Lord’s day, all of us stand united in prayer with the people of Baton Rouge, with the police officers who’ve been wounded, and with the grieving families of the fallen. May God bless them all. |
| Donald Trump had previously blamed the shootings on a “lack of leadership”. | Donald Trump had previously blamed the shootings on a “lack of leadership”. |
| We grieve for the officers killed in Baton Rouge today. How many law enforcement and people have to...https://t.co/pPNrzG8kEa | We grieve for the officers killed in Baton Rouge today. How many law enforcement and people have to...https://t.co/pPNrzG8kEa |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.07pm BST | at 8.07pm BST |
| 8.00pm BST | 8.00pm BST |
| 20:00 | 20:00 |
| Jean McKneely, a Baton Rouge police spokesperson, has pleaded with the public to report “anything suspicious” – namely anyone with “long guns, rifles, hand guns” or who was “dressed in black, “army fatigues” or a mask. | Jean McKneely, a Baton Rouge police spokesperson, has pleaded with the public to report “anything suspicious” – namely anyone with “long guns, rifles, hand guns” or who was “dressed in black, “army fatigues” or a mask. |
| “We don’t have any specific detail about what transpired,” he said. “We do believe it’s more than one suspect.” | “We don’t have any specific detail about what transpired,” he said. “We do believe it’s more than one suspect.” |
| He stressed that “we’re not sure of anything right now” when asked whether the shooting could be linked to recent protests against police | He stressed that “we’re not sure of anything right now” when asked whether the shooting could be linked to recent protests against police |
| He added that authorities are still trying to contact family of the killed officers. | He added that authorities are still trying to contact family of the killed officers. |
| 7.57pm BST | 7.57pm BST |
| 19:57 | 19:57 |
| The nephew of Alton Sterling, the black man whose killing by white police officers in Baton Rouge prompted protests, says he condemns the subsequent shootings of police officers. | The nephew of Alton Sterling, the black man whose killing by white police officers in Baton Rouge prompted protests, says he condemns the subsequent shootings of police officers. |
| Terrance Carter told the Associated Press that his family just wanted things to be peaceful and said his uncle would not have wanted to see violence follow his own death. | Terrance Carter told the Associated Press that his family just wanted things to be peaceful and said his uncle would not have wanted to see violence follow his own death. |
| It remains unclear what prompted today’s shootings. | It remains unclear what prompted today’s shootings. |
| 7.41pm BST | 7.41pm BST |
| 19:41 | 19:41 |
| 7.10pm BST | 7.10pm BST |
| 19:10 | 19:10 |
| The third injured officer is in a non-life threatening condition, medical staff have said, according to Reuters. | The third injured officer is in a non-life threatening condition, medical staff have said, according to Reuters. |
| 7.09pm BST | 7.09pm BST |
| 19:09 | 19:09 |
| Some updates via Baton Rouge’s WAFB TV station: | Some updates via Baton Rouge’s WAFB TV station: |
| Firstly, a man appears to have been arrested after confronting police officers investigating the shootings. Its reporter at the scene said a white man with no shirt on was Tasered after walking towards police and pointing and yelling. It’s unclear why he approached the officers or whether there was a link to the shootings. | Firstly, a man appears to have been arrested after confronting police officers investigating the shootings. Its reporter at the scene said a white man with no shirt on was Tasered after walking towards police and pointing and yelling. It’s unclear why he approached the officers or whether there was a link to the shootings. |
| Secondly, a heavy storm appears to be heading for the area and is likely to hamper the search for the two suspects believed to be at large. | Secondly, a heavy storm appears to be heading for the area and is likely to hamper the search for the two suspects believed to be at large. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.12pm BST | at 7.12pm BST |
| 7.04pm BST | 7.04pm BST |
| 19:04 | 19:04 |
| Reports circulating online that a fourth officer has died are incorrect, according to local media: | Reports circulating online that a fourth officer has died are incorrect, according to local media: |
| Law enforcement says media reports saying a 4th officer have died are incorrect. Three officers have died. #BRShooting | Law enforcement says media reports saying a 4th officer have died are incorrect. Three officers have died. #BRShooting |
| 6.59pm BST | 6.59pm BST |
| 18:59 | 18:59 |
| The Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden has suggested the officers may have been ambushed. He told MSNBC news: “The initial call was shots fired. Whenever an officer hears those words, those two words, the response is immediate, everybody in that area goes to that scene.“I’m not sure whether it is related to [protests] but I can tell you the rhetoric that’s been spewed … I have to believe that some of that is related to that.“Basically it was like an ambush style deal. We responded to a call and there’s this jerk that’s out there firing on our police officers. This is in an area that’s a mile from police headquarters.” | The Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden has suggested the officers may have been ambushed. He told MSNBC news: “The initial call was shots fired. Whenever an officer hears those words, those two words, the response is immediate, everybody in that area goes to that scene.“I’m not sure whether it is related to [protests] but I can tell you the rhetoric that’s been spewed … I have to believe that some of that is related to that.“Basically it was like an ambush style deal. We responded to a call and there’s this jerk that’s out there firing on our police officers. This is in an area that’s a mile from police headquarters.” |