Former Marine Named As Gunman In Baton Rouge Cop Killings

Number of cops shot and killed in U.S. this year up dramatically

The gunman in Baton Rouge, Lousiana has been identified as a 29 year old former marine from Kansas City, discharged in August 2010 after five years of service. Three police officers were shot and killed, three others wounded, Sunday morning after responding to a 911 call about a man wearing all black walking around with a rifle. The shootings come in the wake of the death of Alton Sterling, a black man who was shot and killed after an altercation with Baton Rouge police officers on July 5. Sterling’s death and the police-involved death of a black man in Minnesota a day later sparked nationwide protests. Then on July 7, a gunman targeted police officers at a protest in Dallas, killing five officers and wounding others.

As of Sunday, 31 law enforcement officers have been shot to death in the United States this year. That’s up 72% from this time last year.

The shootings have raised concerns about security at this week’s Republican Convention in Cleveland. The head of the police union there had asked the governor to temporarily suspend the law allowing the open carrying of weapons. The governor said he does not have the power to alter constitutional rights.

photo: Associated Press