3 policemen shot dead in Baton Rouge, suspect killed

Baton Rouge: Three officers are confirmed dead and three others wounded after a shooting in Baton Rouge, a sheriff’s office spokeswoman said on Sunday. One suspect is dead and law enforcement officials believe several more are still at large, the spokeswoman said.

Casey Rayborn Hicks, a spokeswoman for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, said in a statement that the public should call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious.

The shooting — which happened just before 9 am, less than two km from police headquarters — comes amid spiralling tensions across the city — and the country — between the black community and police. The races of the suspect or suspects and the officers were not immediately known. Baton Rouge Police Sgt Don Coppola said earlier that the officers were rushed to a local hospital. Mr Coppola said authorities have asked the people to stay away from the area.

Multiple police units were stationed at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Centre, where stricken officers were believed to be undergoing treatment at a trauma centre. A police officer with a long gun was blocking the parking lot at the emergency room.