6 Police Officers Shot, 3 Dead, in Baton Rouge

6 Police Officers Shot, 3 Dead, in Baton Rouge
Authorities talk to the driver of a car near an area where several officers were shot while on duty less than a mile from police headquarters, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Mike Kunzelman)
Jack Phillips
7/17/2016
Updated:
7/17/2016

Three police officers were fatally shot and three more were injured in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sunday morning, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

One suspect was shot dead, but law enforcement believes two other suspects are still at large.

Police are asking locals to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

At around 9 a.m. local time, Baton Rouge Police officers and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies were involved in a shooting incident on Airline Highway near Old Hammond Highway. The two roads were shut down, and police are asking residents to stay away from the area.

“Multiple officers from both agencies sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals,” a statement from police read.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is on the scene.

Police have described it as an “active working scene.”

Someone called police dispatch before 9 a.m. saying a man walking near Airline Highway had an assault rifle, reported The Advocate newspaper.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a statement: “This is an unspeakable and unjustified 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.”

A witness said they heard between 25 and 30 shots in the area of the B Quick market on Airline Highway.

“I walked out into the street to see what was going on, there was a man lying in the street,” the witness told WAFB-TV. “I assume he was dead because he wasn’t moving.”

The shooting began before police arrived.

“This was not a come at police shooting,” the witness added. “There were men out here shooting at each other before police ever got here.”

The shooting comes amid tensions between the Baton Rouge community and police officers since a video of the police-involved shooting of Alton Sterling was released online. The shooting drew nationwide protests last week.

“We have to heal from this hurt,” said Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, according to WAFB. “I’m calling upon everyone to pray today and to cease protests.”

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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