The cop killer didn’t have a specific target — just any two officers in uniform.
And on the day of his deadly attack, those officers just happened to be Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.
While patrolling a Brooklyn neighborhood Saturday, the New York police officers were killed by the man who had also just shot his ex-girlfriend — and apparently broadcast his intention to kill police on social media.
Here’s what we know about the shooting, the victims and the latest threats against police:
The attack
Liu and Ramos were sitting in their patrol car in a high-crime part of Brooklyn when — without warning — the gunman shot them in the head.
“They were, quite simply, assassinated,” New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said.
Police said the shooter was 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley. Hours before he killed Liu and Ramos, Brinsley shot his ex-girlfriend near Balitmore. The woman, 29-year-old Shaneka Nicole Thompson, was shot in the stomach but survived.
A series of social media posts believed to be from Brinsley gave ominous clues that police would be next.
The warnings
It was one of the ex-girlfriend’s friends who alerted Baltimore County Police to troubling Instagram posts the friend believed came from Brinsley.
“These posts included overt threats to kill police officers,” police said. And they appeared to be posted in Brooklyn, New York.
“I’m Putting Wings On Pigs Today,” one Instagram post read, according to police. “They Take 1 Of Ours, Let’s Take 2 of Theirs.”
Around 2:10 p.m., 40 minutes after speaking with the friend, Baltimore County Police said they called New York police to warn them. Then they faxed a “wanted” poster with Brinsley’s picture.
“Suspect is armed with a 9mm handgun and has posted pictures on Instagram saying that he will shoot a police officer today,” a description on the flier says.
But it was too late. New York Police Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said while New York police were spreading the warning, Brinsley ambushed and killed the two officers.
Later, at a nearby subway station, Brinsley was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The victims
Both Liu and Ramos dreamed of being police officers, Bratton said.
Liu, 32, was a seven-year veteran and married just two months ago, CNN affiliate WABC reported. Ramos, 40, joined the force two years ago after spending three years as a school safety officer. Ramos was married and has a 13-year-old son.
Ramos’ teenage son, Jaden, posted a heartbreaking message on Facebook.
“Today is the worst day of my life,” Jaden wrote.
“Today I had to say bye to my father. He was (there) for me everyday of my life, he was the best father I could ask for. It’s horrible that someone gets shot dead just for being a police officer. Everyone says they hate cops but they are the people that they call for help. I will always love you and I will never forget you. RIP Dad.”
The outrage
The officers’ killings come after months of protests over the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers.
In July, New York City police officers wrestled Eric Garner to the ground, with one officer wrapping his arm around Garner’s neck in a chokehold. That officer was not indicted.
And in August, 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri. That officer also was not indicted.
But nothing justifies the killings of officers Liu and Ramos, Brooklyn resident Shaniqua Pervis said.
“This can’t happen. If you mad at somebody, be mad at the person that you are mad at. Now, we have two families that (are) missing somebody for the holidays,” Pervis told WABC.
“Where is your humanity? I know it’s a war going on, and shoutout to Eric Garner’s family and everybody else who lost somebody, but you’re not at his house, on his lawn. This is two (officers). You don’t even know if (they were) good or bad. I don’t condone this, and I’m not with it.”
Brown’s family condemned Saturday’s slayings.
“We reject any kind of violence directed toward members of law enforcement. It cannot be tolerated. We must work together to bring peace to our communities,” the family said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers’ families during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton said the Garner family was outraged by the police officers’ killings.
“Any use of the names of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, in connection with any violence or killing of police, is reprehensible and against the pursuit of justice in both cases,” Sharpton said.
The other threats
After the deaths of the two NYPD officers, more threats against police have emerged.
A Memphis man has been questioned after allegedly posting threats against the New York Police Department, CNN affiliate WREG reported.
Daryl Lofton told the affiliate that Memphis police and the Office of Homeland Security questioned him after the NYPD deaths.
“Good job. Kill em all I’m on the way to NY now #shootthepolice 2 more going down tomorrow,” an Instagram post read.
And back in New York, police said a Brooklyn man threatened police on Facebook.
An image posted on Facebook contains a police vehicle. The post did not specifically mention the NYPD, but was directed at police. The exact wording was not released by authorities.
Police are investigating.