Three police officers are confirmed dead after a shooting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Sunday morning less than 1 mile from police headquarters.
CNN has confirmed that three police officers are dead, and as many as seven cops were shot.
The Associated Press is reporting that one suspect is dead.
And there are still two suspects at large.
“We do know, and do believe there are more than one suspect. That’s why we’re alerting the community,” said Cpl. L’Jean McKneely. “We sending in the robot to see if there are any explosives in the area or any explosives on him.”
From the Associated Press:
Officers and deputies from the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office were involved, according to Casey Rayborn Hicks, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
“Multiple officers from both agencies sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals. At this point, we do not have concrete numbers or the extent of injuries. Updates will be provided as available,” Casey said in a statement.
Mark Clements, who lives in the area of the violence, said he was in his backyard when he heard shots ring out.
“I heard probably 10 to 12 gunshots go off,” he told the New York Times. “We heard a bunch of sirens and choppers and everything since then.”
Video shows the moment police engaged in shootout with suspect(s) in Baton Rouge.
A witness described hearing at least 25 to 30 gunshots in the area.
Witnesses say the gunman was wearing a black coat and had his face covered.
Audio from the police scanner of the incident has been made available.
An officer said a woman reported a man walking with an assault rifle on Airline Highway.
Seconds later, an officer yells “Shots fired, officer down! Shots fired, officer down!”
Lousiana Governor John Bel Edwards released a statement on the shootings.
The headquarters is about five miles away from where Alton Sterling was shot and killed earlier this week.
On Saturday, protests for the police shooting of Sterling had been held along Airline Highway, which runs in front of the police headquarters.
We will update when more details become available.