[UPDATE BELOW] Authorities in Baton Rouge, Louisiana confirmed that three police officers were killed in a shooting that took place around 9 a.m. The only suspect, identified as 29-year-old Gavin Long, was killed in a shootout.
In addition to the three officers killed, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports that three more are injured.
Police are urging residents to be on the lookout for individuals wearing Army fatigues, “all black” or masks. According to CNN, police received a call regarding a “suspicious person walking down Airline Highway with an assault rifle.” The shooting began as police arrived.
The shopping center where the shooting occurred is a mile from police headquarters and around five miles from where Alton Sterling was shot and killed by police on July 5.
Governor John Bel Edwards also issued a statement:
Update, 2:55 p.m.: The Advocate has audio from police dispatched to the shooting.
“Shots fired, officer down, shots fired, officer down!” one officer is heard shouting. “Got a city officer down, shots fired! Shots fired on Airline!”
One injured officer can also be heard saying “I’m hit, left arm.” Police report seeing a second shooter a short time later.
“We have eyes on a subject,” one said, before another officer was reported down.
The suspect is described as wearing all black, a mask and “carrying an A-R.”
Update, 5:20 p.m.: The shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Gavin Eugene Long of Kansas City, Missouri, CNN reports. Contrary to earlier reports, Long was the only reported assailant, and police said that there is no longer an “active shooter situation” in Baton Rouge.
During a press conference, police identified the slain officers as a 41-year-old and a 32-year-old with the Baton Rouge Police Department, as well as a 45-year-old deputy with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to those who were killed, a 41-year-old sheriff’s deputy is in critical condition. A 51-year-old deputy was in surgery for non life-threatening injuries and a 41-year-old officer was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Update, 10:03 p.m.: Gavin Eugene Long, a former Marine sergeant, carried out this attack on his 29th birthday, the AP reports. He later attended the University of Alabama for one semester. He served in Iraq, ultimately receiving honorable discharge and, while in school, did not run afoul of the University police.
President Obama delivered a statement from the White House regarding the shooting, emphasizing that “nothing justifies this violence.”
This post will be updated as reliable information becomes available.
Image via AP.