As police in Florida prepared for the funeral of two Miami-Dade County police officers gunned down in the line of duty, shots rang out Monday in St. Petersburg, on the other side of the state. Two other officers fell dead and a federal marshal was wounded. Follow updates on CNN and affiliate WFTS-TV.
On any given day, such violence against police officers would be disturbing. But the fatalities capped a particularly violent 24 hours in the United States for the men and women in blue. Eleven police officers were shot.
“It is a very disturbing trend for all of us,” said Hal Johnson, general counsel for the Florida Police Benevolent Association. “Florida has never seen a streak like this. I don’t think anybody has.”
It is natural to search for answers, Johnson said, even if there aren’t any. The shootings do not appear to be related, and the motives may never be known. Declaring it to be open season against police officers seems dangerously simplistic, he added.
He sees the shootings more as acts of desperation.
“They are shooting at people they know have guns,” Johnson said. “I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I’ve never seen it like this. I do see the developing of a callousness. It’s almost as if shooting a police officer has lost its shock effect.”
Consider:
- On Sunday, four officers were shot in a Detroit police station by a man who walked in, firing randomly. Lamar Deshea Moore was shot to death by police so his motive may never be known, but local reports say a relative was awaiting sentencing for double murder. Two of the police officers remain hospitalized. For more, read CNN’s update and affiliate reports from the scene: WXYZ-TV and WDIV-TV.
- Two deputies were shot outside a Walmart in Port Orchard, Washington, near Seattle, on Sunday. Check out CNN, KIRO-TV and KOMO-TV for the latest updates.
- A police officer is in a coma and in critical condition after being shot during a traffic stop early Sunday in Indianapolis. Check out WTHR-TV and WISH-TV for updates.
- In Lincoln City, Oregon, a police officer was shot Sunday night during a traffic stop. The officer is in critical condition. Check out affiliate KOIN-TV for more information.
Although they do not appear to be related, the weekend shootings follow two other violent incidents last week involving police officers, including the Miami killings and a slaying in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Am I the only one noticing the demograpics of the perps?
Sad News.. But America let's be honest police offiercers in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, and other international communities aren't carrying AK-47's for no reason, and in the next 20 years (or less) America will get to that point as well.
Ain't that Second Amendment just grande. Maybe, just maybe, common sense will prevail and this country of ours will see the light and place some reasonable restrictions on this stupidest of "rights".
there are too many restrictions already,I wont call the police, im loaded and ready to defend myself, family and friends.U are not getting any of MY GUNS!!!
This isn't about the second amendment, the NRA, our government, rhetoric, or being pushed to the edge because you don't have a job or food. This is about bad people who don't care and do not value life. They kill, not only police officers, but innocent victims, their wives/husbands, children etc. because they want to kill. They know that the moment they raise that gun to shoot, they will change the course of their own and most likely someone else's history, but they don't care. Since January 1st, we have lost police officers who are Mothers, Fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters, not because of the second amendment, or our current government. We have lost them because there are people out there who want to do bad things. No amount of gun control or laws will change that. What needs to change is people blaming all of their problems on someone or something other than themselves. If you are pushed to violence, it's because you want to be violent, not because someone or something made you that way. We live in a violent society, maybe it's time to look in the mirror, take responsiblity for your own actions and see if you contribute to the peace or to the problem. We are losing too many people, including our law enforcement officers. When will enough be enough?
You're wrong, making it illegal to PRODUCE guns WOULD change that! Dramatically.
@Numbaoneballa
You're an idiot.. you're the first person to call the police at the first sign of trouble... Let you be in a position where they're needed and I'm sure you'll be saying the same thing.. I'm not naive and saying there are zero crooked cops.. I'm saying you watch to many movies.
First Ide like to start by saying cops were killed in the line of duty. Second, Im sure the guns used to kill them were illegal guns that werent bought by a person with no gun permit. All you anti gun wussies can therefore zip it. Honest people dont have to pay the price for what a criminal does. Period. One stat that has never been talked about is hopw many innocent people get killed by cops. Ide like to see that stat for the last month. Why is it always if someone in power gets killed it makes headlines? Youre average everyday "Joe" gets no attention at all. Lets hear all the stats.
Far worse days come for usa.Look at the economy..For the people that lived the golden years the future will be a shock!"no money,no honey"
This is terrible. What can be done about the killings, not just the police , but everybody. What is the matter with this world and the people in it. I feel bad for all the families.
That's because they drive around like little God's. Bullies. Beating up old ladies and giving out b.s. tickets to feed the townships money so the wealthy can have their tax breaks. Cops have to learn to show more respect to the populace. They'll learn.
Yeh, I used to have a friend who was a cop. He beat his wife, took drugs, shook down shop owners and fooled around on his wife. He even once said that cops are just criminals hired to deal with the social riff raff. He said he would take until it hurt. The blue code of silence is really the crimal code disguised as such.
Time to earn their pay....catching bullets.
It's widely known the drug of choice by cops is cocaine, it leaves the system in 24 hours.
people need guns to protect us from this goverment,as well as other goverments
No we don't.
What else will you need to save yourself from government, Tanks, Drones, Cluster bombs?
Police know the risks of their jobs and still they choose to do it.No sympathy here. Instead of being bullys and thugs they need to be taught that they are not better than us just because they have a badge.You get respect when you give respect.They use their badges to hurt and kill people in the name of the law when they should protect and serve.
And what great contribution have you made to society? Your post alone says your probably a criminal who refuses to take responsibilty for your actions. Its always the bottomfeeders who post as you do. Hang out with parolees much?
Wow people- what is with the hostility here?? Are we all angry about a speeding ticket or something?? And we wonder why there is so much violence in this country. Good Lord- these officers are people's children, parents, sisters. They are all people, and they are NOT the same, regardless of their appearance on the outside (ie, uniform) They are not disposable and not the "evil government", they are people. They are not the problem here- you all are.
the problem is that there are a whole bunch of good people without jobs, money and a future because of the economy, and if that is the case then the bad people are even worse off so they have nothing to lose. but the NRA wants those guns on the street so we are going to be seeing this a whole bunch more. really sad
My father was a police officer and I appreciate the bravery and dedication that our police officers demonstrate. It is always a great loss when they are killed in the line of duty like this. My prayers and thoughts go out to the friends and families of the fallen officers.