WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
— A man with a gun opened fire on officers
— At least seven are shot
— At least three of the officers shot are feared dead
— The situation is contained
FULL STORY
A man with a gun opened fire on police officers in Baton Rouge on Sunday, injuring at least seven — including three who are feared dead, an official said.
Police received a call of “suspicious person walking down Airline Highway with an assault rifle,” a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN. When police arrived, the man opened fire.
The remaining officers are hospitalized in critical condition, the source said.
The victims were from Baton Rouge Police Department as well as East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, another official said.
“This is an unspeakable and unjustified attack on all of us at a time when we need unity and healing.
The shooting took place around 9 a.m. (10 a.m. ET). The situation was contained by noon, the sheriff’s office said.
Kip Holden, the mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish, said the shooter is believed to be down as well — but authorities didn’t offer details.
“Everything is moving fast and I have not been able to verify everything,” Holden said.
Since the shooting death of Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge police earlier this month, the department has worried about credible threats against officers.
It’s been an emotionally charged few days across the country because of the protests stemming from the Alton Sterling shooting, and the ambush on Dallas police officers where a sniper killed five officers.
“This is an unspeakable and unjustified attack on all of us at a time when we need unity and healing,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
Holden said Sunday authorities were still trying to get a handle on the situation, but added, “The count is three officers dead possibly.”
“There is still an active scene. They are investigating,” he said. “Right now we are trying to get our arms around everything.”
Earlier, Holden had said the shooter is believed to be down as well. But a source told CNN it’s an “active working scene.”