A day after two police officers and a sheriff’s deputy were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Sunday, officials said that the deceased shooter targeted and “intentionally assassinated” those officers.
“There is no doubt whatsoever these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated,” Louisiana State Police Col. Michael Edmonson said in a Monday news conference. “It was a calculated act against those who work to protect this community every single day.”
Officials confirmed that the shooter, who was killed by police, had been identified as Gavin Long, 29, of Kansas City, Missouri. Edmonson said that he believed Long chose locations that would target police officers. He said Long’s intentions were “accurate and engaging,” as he ignored citizens who were in the area.
“He came in here from somewhere else to do harm to our community and specifically to the law enforcement officers in our community,” Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said of Long.
