The black US Marine Corps veteran who shot dead three police officers in Louisiana's capital targeted them and assassinated them, authorities said on Monday, as the United States reeled from the latest deadly violence involving police and African-Americans.
One of three officers wounded in Sunday's shootings was hospitalized and fighting for his life, police said at a news conference. They said three guns were recovered from the shooting in Baton Rouge, which has been the scene of repeated protests against police violence following the July 5 fatal shooting by officers of Alton Sterling, a black man, outside a convenience store.
"There is no doubt whatsoever that these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated," Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson said of the Sunday incident at the news conference. "It was a calculated act against those who work to protect this community every single day."
At the news conference, Edmondson described in detail how the attack unfolded: Long specifically sought out police officers and targeted them, leaving civilians in the area alone. He exchanged fire with several police officers before being shot and killed.






