Minneapolis leaders have expressed sorrow over the shooting deaths of three police officers in Baton Rouge and support for Minneapolis police officers as the nation is reeling from several high-profile shootings.
Mayor Betsy Hodges acknowledged how often the city and country has had to grieve after a horrific episode of gun violence.
“Once again — once again — we are in mourning. Today, it is for the police officers in Baton Rouge who were killed and injured in a shocking, cowardly, and deeply wrong attack that turns my stomach,” she said in statement on Sunday. “To say my heart is heavy, to say my thoughts and prayers are with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of the officers who were killed in Baton Rouge, and to ask everyone to do the same — it is all true, and I am deeply sad about having to say it, once again.”
She also said she’s working with Police Chief Janeé Harteau to offer extra support to Minneapolis police officers. Harteau has asked officers to double up on patrols as an extra measure of precaution.
“I am also and especially holding special care for the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department, who are profoundly affected by this attack and who are also in mourning. The chief and I are doing what we can to ensure their safety as they continue to provide service to our community in such a charged environment,” she said.
City Council President Barb Johnson (Ward 4) said she condemns “this vicious act in the strongest terms possible.”
“I offer my deepest sympathies to the families of the three Baton Rouge officers killed, to the officers injured and to the Baton Rogue Police Department. I also want to offer my full support to the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department that serve and protect our community so ably. Their safety remains my highest concern,” Johnson said.
City Council Vice President Elizabeth Glidden (Ward 8) said the latest killings in Baton Rouge have “added a terrible new chapter” to violent events that have occurred in recent weeks.
The fatal shootings follow the ambush in Dallas that resulted in the death of five police officers and the fatal police shootings of Philando Castile in Falcon Heights on July 6 and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge on July 5.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the families of the slain officers and to the Baton Rogue Police Department, as well as to those serving in the Minneapolis Police Department who are deeply affected,” she said. “We must be reminded that we are all one community, law enforcement and civilians alike. We must come together to stop the violence. Acts of peaceful protest should and must continue, just as our law enforcement community should and will continue to protect those they serve.”
Council Member Blong Yang, chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights & Emergency Management Committee, echoed those statements.
“Together we must bring this senseless violence to an end,” he said. “To the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department, please know that your safety and security is of our utmost concern as we move forward in these uncertain times.”