Three Baton Rouge police officers shot, killed on duty, sheriff confirms

Three Baton Rouge police officers have been fatally shot on duty and the suspect has been killed, police officials have confirmed.

Multiple sources identified the shooter as Gavin Long, 29, from Kansas City, Missouri. His motivation is still unclear.

Baton Rouge police Col. Mike Edmonson said at 3 p.m. central time that there is “no active shooter scenario in Baton Rouge,” and they do not believe there are additional suspects. Edmonson said the investigation is ongoing.

Police said at an earlier press conference that they had sent in a bomb robot to see if there were any explosives on the shooter.

The sheriff said three other officers were injured. One is currently in critical condition while others suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson tweeted Sunday afternoon that his cousin was one of the officers killed.

In his final Facebook post before his death, Montrell Jackson wrote that he was “tired physically and emotionally … These are trying times. Please don’t let hate infect your heart.”

According to The Advocate, about 20 armed officers were on the scene and helicopters were flying overhead.

President Obama issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying “this has to stop” the recent increase in shootings.

East Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said in a press conference that the shooting is “not about gun control, but about what’s in men’s hearts.” He asked for prayers.

Baton Rouge police-community relations have been tense since the death of Alton Sterling on July 5th. Sterling, who was black, was shot and killed by white officers after an argument at a convenience store. A video of the shooting was posted online, leading to nationwide attention and protest. The U.S. Justice Department said it would be investigating the circumstances of the shooting.

Last week, 185 protesters were arrested in Baton Rouge, including prominent Black Lives Matter organizer DeRay Mckesson. Charges have been dropped against 100 of the protesters, including Mckesson.