On Sunday morning, more violence broke out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when at least one shooter opened fire on law enforcement. The witness encounters have been absolutely terrifying in this incident that killed three officers. The dead suspect, Gavin Long, attacked police on his 29th birthday. Authorities still believe that more suspects may be at large and have held a series of news conferences.
During one of these briefings, East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux spoke to the media about how the violence must end. He declared this as a time for the law enforcement community to grieve as a family. Gautreaux also attempted to distance these tragedies from the gun control issue:
“To me, this is not so much about gun control as it is about what’s in men’s hearts. And until we come together as a nation, as a people, to heal as a people, if we don’t do that and this madness continues, we will surely perish as a people.”
This attack follows weeks of tension stemming from Alton Sterling’s shooting death by police. The aftermath has been filled with clashes between officers and protesters with no resolution arriving soon in a conflict that runs deep. President Obama has already strongly condemned the shooting and added, “These are attacks on public servants, on the rule of law, and on civilized society, and they have to stop.”
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards also spoke to the press. He called this “an absolutely unspeakable, heinous attack” and concluded, “The hatred has to stop.”