UPDATES On 2 Police Officers Shot Dead In Brooklyn include plans underway for a candle-light vigil in Bed-Stuy, official statements from NYPD Commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Bill de Blasio from news conference at Woodhull Hospital last night:
“These officers were assassinated…it is an attack on all of us. We must support these officers and support the healing of the families.” The message of condolences by the mayor and NYPD Commissioner also came with a blast to social media for lessons learned in the deaths of NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos…
UPDATES On 2 Police Officers Shot Dead In Brooklyn:
“They were, quite simply, assassinated, targeted for their uniform and the responsibility they embraced,” Bratton said. “Both were ambushed and murdered.”
It’s now being reported that authorities in Baltimore forwarded notice about Ismaaiyl Brinsley–who had just shot his girlfriend in the stomach hours earlier–as unstable and on the loose. The word had however come too late at about the same time he committed the killings in New York City. Sources say Brinsley had a notably notorious criminal record for weapons possession and theft in Georgia and Ohio though having ties in Brooklyn. Residents of the Bed-Stuy neighborhood and country at large are burdened and in suspense.
“Tensions are high, and this is just things boiling over,” said Andy Jordan, 39, who has lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant for nearly three decades. “We need to look at how we got here.”
Speaking of high tensions this incident also comes after a strike back to the #BlackLivesMatter movement last night, by NYPD supporters who took it upon themselves to wear hoodies with the words “I CAN BREATHE” at their own rally (see gallery). It’s reported they screamed “Don’t Resist Arrest!” every time opposing protesters shouted “I Can’t Breathe.” (SMH!!!)
“This is not a time for politics it’s a time to grieve for these families…but if you see something, say something.”
NYPD Commissioner Bratton and Mayor Bill de Blasio have been live from Woodhull Hospital where the two officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos have been pronounced dead from shots to the head “execution style” by Ismaaiyl Brinsley age 28. Since Ismaaiyl posted a few incriminating messages on Instagram following the shooting of his girlfriend in Baltimore before arriving in Brooklyn with the intention of killing an officer or more, the mayor is blasting social media: They’ve called for anyone from now on who knows of any individual posting threats, motives, or intentions of acting out against the safety of police officers via social media to notify authorities immediately.
“A particularly despicable act that goes against the very heart of our city and democracy” said Mayor de Blasio during the news conference.
While the commissioner expresses condolences to the families of the officers he has also confirmed all the details of the past few hours, including the “ambush” of Ismaaiyl’s homicide, his previous murder and everything we’ve reported.
Bratton states, the NYPD will “never forget” their mission to protect and serve as Mayor de Blasio went on to open with, “our hearts are heavy throughout the city…we honor the EMTs and hospital workers who tried valiantly to save the lives of the officers and everyone who came out tonight in solidarity with these grieving families.”
It’s confirmed that BOTH officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos have been shot and killed today in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn by gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley; who suddenly rushed the front passenger window of their idle patrol car, “took a shooting stance” and opened fire, smashing the window and drawing a few screams from people within blocks at the time. Details have surfaced from the gunman’s IG posts (see gallery) a few hours before he intended to kill one or more officers in retaliation of the killings that sparked the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Since he had just completed a shooting out of state many point to his emotional instability leading in and are slow to link the movement to this situation. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams calls shooting “a terrible tragic set of circumstances from this senseless attack.”
UPDATES On 2 Police Officers Shot Dead In Brooklyn
Al Sharpton has just released this statement condemning the act on behalf of him and the Garner family:
“I have spoken to the Garner family and we are outraged by the early reports of the police killed in Brooklyn today. 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.”
“This is horrible. This is bad for our city. This cannot be endorsed or supported by anyone and the mayor has to step up now. He’s got to show his backbone and make sure the people get the message that we’re not going to have this stupidity take place in our city.”
Sharpton is reported to be planning a news conference Sunday morning to “express our outrage and our condolences to the families and the police department.” He went on to comment on how his National Action Network and affiliate organizations have been criticized for being provocative and inappropriate when it comes to language used at rallies and protests following major events like that of #Ferguson and for #EricGarner. He affirms that this was not “what he wanted” as was alleged previously.
Earlier today Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (who’s also a retired NYPD officer) continued:
“When you attack a police officer you’re also attacking the symbol of our public safety. You make it hard for the rest of the country looking at us for an example.”
UPDATES On 2 Police Officers Shot Dead In Brooklyn: He and Mayor Bill de Blasio were on their way to the scene hours ago. On the heels of all the official statements made many were poised to hear what social justice leader Al Sharpton had to say, as he was cited for allegedly calling for “dead cops” at protests earlier this month. Residents and members of the NYPD were also calling out against Mayor de Blasio for being “too tame” and “not being supportive enough” of the NYPD. We’ll see how the response from the statements unfolds in the next few days.
Sources and updates say the gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley who also has a residence in the state of Georgia posted these messages on Instagram three hours before the officers were shot stating,
“I’m Putting Wings on Pigs Today,” adding “They Take 1 Of Ours…Let’s Take 2 of Theirs,” and signing off with, “This May Be My Final Post.”
It’s said that Brinsley was a fugitive who had just shot his girlfriend in Baltimore Saturday morning. After the gunman opened fire on the officers, it’s said he ran into the subway station and killed himself with the same gun as other police officers ran to engage him.
It was never confirmed whether the officers in discussion were on routine patrol or there for a specific reason. However police Commissioner Bratton noted in his 44 years of public service, this is the 7th time two partners have been killed on duty together.
G Train subway service on the MTA had been suspended as a result of the investigation around Myrtle and Tompkins Avenues in Brooklyn but have since been restored. Stay tuned for more UPDATES On 2 Police Officers Shot Dead In Brooklyn.
Emilia A. Ottoo: IG || Twit || Pin
Additional Sources: 1010 Wins News and NY1 Live Broadcasts
