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| In New York, rising tensions and calls for unity after two police officers are killed | In New York, rising tensions and calls for unity after two police officers are killed |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| NEW YORK — As New Yorkers called for unity after the assassination-style slaying of two police officers, tensions appeared to be rising on Sunday as police supporters ramped up criticism of Mayor Bill de Blasio and backers of the mayor strongly defended him. | NEW YORK — As New Yorkers called for unity after the assassination-style slaying of two police officers, tensions appeared to be rising on Sunday as police supporters ramped up criticism of Mayor Bill de Blasio and backers of the mayor strongly defended him. |
| A day after the New York City police officers were shot to death in their patrol cars, a coatless Brooklyn borough president, Eric Adams, stood next to the crime scene on Tompkins Avenue and called for reforming the police department, not targeting officers. | A day after the New York City police officers were shot to death in their patrol cars, a coatless Brooklyn borough president, Eric Adams, stood next to the crime scene on Tompkins Avenue and called for reforming the police department, not targeting officers. |
| Adams also took issue with remarks made by Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, who on Saturday said that guilt for the deaths of officers Wenjin Lin and Raphael Ramos began on the steps of City Hall. | Adams also took issue with remarks made by Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, who on Saturday said that guilt for the deaths of officers Wenjin Lin and Raphael Ramos began on the steps of City Hall. |
| “Blood is not on the hands of the mayor but on the sick person who took those lives,” Adams said in front of a batter of television cameras shortly before 9 a.m. “We’re better than that.” | “Blood is not on the hands of the mayor but on the sick person who took those lives,” Adams said in front of a batter of television cameras shortly before 9 a.m. “We’re better than that.” |
| But the strained relations between de Blasio and police — which date to his mayoral campaign, when he ran on a platform of reforming aggressive police practices that had outraged minorities — appeared to have burst into full view. Officers turned their backs on the mayor as he walked into the hospital where the officers died, and former New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly accused de Blasio of having run an “anti-police campaign.’’ | But the strained relations between de Blasio and police — which date to his mayoral campaign, when he ran on a platform of reforming aggressive police practices that had outraged minorities — appeared to have burst into full view. Officers turned their backs on the mayor as he walked into the hospital where the officers died, and former New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly accused de Blasio of having run an “anti-police campaign.’’ |
| Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,’’ Kelly said the backlash against de Blasio was fueled by comments the mayor made this month about advising his son, who is half black, to take “special care” in encounters with police. “I think that set off this latest firestorm,’’ Kelly said. | Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,’’ Kelly said the backlash against de Blasio was fueled by comments the mayor made this month about advising his son, who is half black, to take “special care” in encounters with police. “I think that set off this latest firestorm,’’ Kelly said. |
| New York police said a gunman shot and killed Liu and Ramos before taking his own life in a brazen ambush on a quiet Brooklyn street corner Saturday afternoon. They were shot in the head at point-blank range while sitting beside one another in a police car in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, police said. | New York police said a gunman shot and killed Liu and Ramos before taking his own life in a brazen ambush on a quiet Brooklyn street corner Saturday afternoon. They were shot in the head at point-blank range while sitting beside one another in a police car in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, police said. |
| The shooting has heightened tensions in a country and city already roiled by demonstrations against police brutality in the wake of recent killings of unarmed black men by white police officers in Missouri and New York. | The shooting has heightened tensions in a country and city already roiled by demonstrations against police brutality in the wake of recent killings of unarmed black men by white police officers in Missouri and New York. |
| Just three hours before the shootings, the gunman — identified by police as 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley — declared his intention on his Instagram account to kill police officers as retribution for the recent police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. | Just three hours before the shootings, the gunman — identified by police as 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley — declared his intention on his Instagram account to kill police officers as retribution for the recent police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. |
| Before he made his way to Brooklyn on Saturday morning, police said, Brinsley shot his former girlfriend about 5:45 a.m. in Owings Mills, Md., about 15 miles outside Baltimore. Baltimore County police on Sunday identified her as Shaneka Nicole Thompson, 29. | |
| Police said in a statement that she was wounded in the abdomen by a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and is in critical but stable condition at an area hospital and that she is expected to survive. Police said they have not been able to interview her because of her condition but are hoping to speak with her later Sunday. | |
| They said the gun used to shoot Thompson is thought to be same as the one used to shoot the police officers in New York. | |
| Brinsley’s address is unknown, and the police statement said authorities “believe he has no ties to the Baltimore area except Thompson.” Police said that they believe Brinsley and Thompson had a previous romantic relationship that dates back less than a year and that Thompson lived alone at the Owings Mills apartment where she was shot. | |
| “There is no indication of prior criminal activity by Brinsley in Maryland,” the statement said. | |
| The shooting early Saturday occurred inside an apartment in the gated complex of Greenwich Place Town Center. Managers told a reporter to leave Saturday night and Sunday morning. | |
| In New York, in the aftermath of the officers’ death, residents seemed to be searching to understand what happened and were coming to very different conclusions. | |
| Adams, the borough president, called for dialogue between law enforcement and city residents. “We’re not going to allow a sick individual [to] get between police and the community,’’ he said. “That assassination was not an attack on two policemen but on our system of public safety.” | Adams, the borough president, called for dialogue between law enforcement and city residents. “We’re not going to allow a sick individual [to] get between police and the community,’’ he said. “That assassination was not an attack on two policemen but on our system of public safety.” |
| One resident of this Bedford-Stuyvesant community, who moved here from the Bronx three months ago, said seeing the police parked in their cars in her neighborhood was reassuring. | One resident of this Bedford-Stuyvesant community, who moved here from the Bronx three months ago, said seeing the police parked in their cars in her neighborhood was reassuring. |
| “I feel safe walking here,” said Michele Digby, 49. “We used to hear shots fired and bullet shells [in the Bronx], but not here.” | “I feel safe walking here,” said Michele Digby, 49. “We used to hear shots fired and bullet shells [in the Bronx], but not here.” |
| But Digby also said she was not surprised by the attack on the officers. | But Digby also said she was not surprised by the attack on the officers. |
| “I kind of figured this would happen eventually,” she said. “They let that policeman go,” referring to the chokehold death of Staten Islander Eric Garner six months ago. | “I kind of figured this would happen eventually,” she said. “They let that policeman go,” referring to the chokehold death of Staten Islander Eric Garner six months ago. |
| “It saddens me this had to happen,” Digby continued. “Innocent policemen died because of that one cop.” | “It saddens me this had to happen,” Digby continued. “Innocent policemen died because of that one cop.” |
| Victor Parker, 49, who said he has lived in this neighborhood all his life, nodded slowly when asked about how much tension exists between police and residents. | Victor Parker, 49, who said he has lived in this neighborhood all his life, nodded slowly when asked about how much tension exists between police and residents. |
| “A lot of it,” he said, especially lately. “When people see the cops they go, ‘Uh-oh.’ They feel they’re here to harass them.” | “A lot of it,” he said, especially lately. “When people see the cops they go, ‘Uh-oh.’ They feel they’re here to harass them.” |
| Parker also said he had seen officers Liu and Ramos before in the neighborhood. | Parker also said he had seen officers Liu and Ramos before in the neighborhood. |
| “They were just doing their job,” he said, this time shaking his head sadly. He said area residents had seen the two officers buying food at the deli across the street from their patrol car minutes before they were shot. | “They were just doing their job,” he said, this time shaking his head sadly. He said area residents had seen the two officers buying food at the deli across the street from their patrol car minutes before they were shot. |
| “They went to get lunch and came back and got ambushed,” he said. “. . . Civilians and cops need to get together. They’re not all bad.” | “They went to get lunch and came back and got ambushed,” he said. “. . . Civilians and cops need to get together. They’re not all bad.” |
| De Blasio, at a news conference Saturday evening, condemned the attack on the officers. | De Blasio, at a news conference Saturday evening, condemned the attack on the officers. |
| “It’s clear that this was an assassination,” he said. “These officers were shot execution-style, a particularly despicable act which goes to the heart of our society and our democracy.” | “It’s clear that this was an assassination,” he said. “These officers were shot execution-style, a particularly despicable act which goes to the heart of our society and our democracy.” |
| : Before he made his way to Brooklyn on Saturday morning, police said, Brinsley shot his girlfriend about 5:45 a.m. in Owings Mills, Md., about 15 miles outside Baltimore. The shooting occurred at a gated apartment complex called Greenwich Place Town Center, adjacent to a parking lot for a movie theater at Owings Mills Mall. | : Before he made his way to Brooklyn on Saturday morning, police said, Brinsley shot his girlfriend about 5:45 a.m. in Owings Mills, Md., about 15 miles outside Baltimore. The shooting occurred at a gated apartment complex called Greenwich Place Town Center, adjacent to a parking lot for a movie theater at Owings Mills Mall. |
| Late Saturday night, Baltimore County police confirmed that Brinsley was the gunman in the earlier shooting that wounded the 29-year-old Owings Mills woman. Police said the victim, whose name has not been released, was shot in the abdomen. | Late Saturday night, Baltimore County police confirmed that Brinsley was the gunman in the earlier shooting that wounded the 29-year-old Owings Mills woman. Police said the victim, whose name has not been released, was shot in the abdomen. |
| Police said Brinsley fled the scene of the shooting before they arrived. By 1:30 p.m., police said they became aware of Instagram posts by the suspect that included “threats against police officers.” Authorities said they quickly traced the posts and the phone Brinsley was using to a location in Brooklyn. | Police said Brinsley fled the scene of the shooting before they arrived. By 1:30 p.m., police said they became aware of Instagram posts by the suspect that included “threats against police officers.” Authorities said they quickly traced the posts and the phone Brinsley was using to a location in Brooklyn. |
| About 2:10 p.m., Baltimore County police called New York’s 70th Precinct to discuss the threatening Instagram posts and informed officers that Brinsley’s phone was “pinging” at a location in their precinct. At the same time, Baltimore County authorities said they faxed a “wanted” poster to the NYPD with information about Brinsley. Around 2:50 p.m., they sent a teletype with the same information in the flier to NYPD’s “real-time crime center.” | About 2:10 p.m., Baltimore County police called New York’s 70th Precinct to discuss the threatening Instagram posts and informed officers that Brinsley’s phone was “pinging” at a location in their precinct. At the same time, Baltimore County authorities said they faxed a “wanted” poster to the NYPD with information about Brinsley. Around 2:50 p.m., they sent a teletype with the same information in the flier to NYPD’s “real-time crime center.” |
| They were too late. At about 2:45 p.m., police said, Brinsley approached the officers’ marked NYPD patrol car outside the Tompkins Houses in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn and began firing into the front passenger-side window. | They were too late. At about 2:45 p.m., police said, Brinsley approached the officers’ marked NYPD patrol car outside the Tompkins Houses in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn and began firing into the front passenger-side window. |
| Brinsley’s girlfriend was shot in the stomach and underwent surgery, according to a New York Daily News article. She was expected to recover. | Brinsley’s girlfriend was shot in the stomach and underwent surgery, according to a New York Daily News article. She was expected to recover. |
| “I’m putting Wings on Pigs Today,” Brinsley wrote on his Instagram account beneath a photo of a silver-colored semiautomatic pistol and a pair of blood-stained camouflage pants. “They TAKE 1 Of Ours . . . Lets Take 2 of Theirs.” The Instagram photos use hashtags for Brown and Garner and appear to indicate that the shootings were an act of revenge. | “I’m putting Wings on Pigs Today,” Brinsley wrote on his Instagram account beneath a photo of a silver-colored semiautomatic pistol and a pair of blood-stained camouflage pants. “They TAKE 1 Of Ours . . . Lets Take 2 of Theirs.” The Instagram photos use hashtags for Brown and Garner and appear to indicate that the shootings were an act of revenge. |
| Brinsley stole his girlfriend’s phone after the shooting before traveling to New York. At some point along the way, he posted a menacing update on Facebook. | Brinsley stole his girlfriend’s phone after the shooting before traveling to New York. At some point along the way, he posted a menacing update on Facebook. |
| “I Always Wanted To Be Known For Doing Something Right . . . But My Past Is Stalking Me and My Present Is Haunting Me,” it read. | “I Always Wanted To Be Known For Doing Something Right . . . But My Past Is Stalking Me and My Present Is Haunting Me,” it read. |
| New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said investigators were looking into all of Brinsley’s social-media accounts in an attempt to unravel the shooter’s motivations. | New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said investigators were looking into all of Brinsley’s social-media accounts in an attempt to unravel the shooter’s motivations. |
| “Some of the postings, which I understand are out there, would seem to indicate that he had a very strong bias against police officers,” he said. | “Some of the postings, which I understand are out there, would seem to indicate that he had a very strong bias against police officers,” he said. |
| Bratton said investigators have no reason to believe Brinsley has any connection to terrorist groups. | Bratton said investigators have no reason to believe Brinsley has any connection to terrorist groups. |
| “We’re not seeing a connectivity to any organized entity at this time,” he noted. | “We’re not seeing a connectivity to any organized entity at this time,” he noted. |
| After the shooting, Brinsley ran up the street and was pursued by other officers into a subway station, where he was found with a gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted, police said. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital, police said. | After the shooting, Brinsley ran up the street and was pursued by other officers into a subway station, where he was found with a gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted, police said. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital, police said. |
| In dozens of cities across the country in recent weeks, protesters have organized marches, staged die-ins, blocked rush-hour traffic and clashed with police using rallying cries tied to the killings of Brown and Garner — “Hands up, don’t shoot,” in Brown’s case, and “I can’t breathe,” in reference to Garner’s last words. | In dozens of cities across the country in recent weeks, protesters have organized marches, staged die-ins, blocked rush-hour traffic and clashed with police using rallying cries tied to the killings of Brown and Garner — “Hands up, don’t shoot,” in Brown’s case, and “I can’t breathe,” in reference to Garner’s last words. |
| Much of those protests have been documented, if not fueled, by up-to-the-minute social-media accounts, which have provided a virtual spark and rallying point for like-minded protesters aggressively seeking change. | Much of those protests have been documented, if not fueled, by up-to-the-minute social-media accounts, which have provided a virtual spark and rallying point for like-minded protesters aggressively seeking change. |
| New York City has served as the most prominent staging ground for many of the demonstrations, with protests happening almost nightly since a Ferguson grand jury declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Nov. 24 in Brown’s shooting death. | New York City has served as the most prominent staging ground for many of the demonstrations, with protests happening almost nightly since a Ferguson grand jury declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Nov. 24 in Brown’s shooting death. |
| On Saturday, Bratton said those demonstrations had taken their toll on New York City’s police force. | On Saturday, Bratton said those demonstrations had taken their toll on New York City’s police force. |
| Last week, New York police arrested three men who are accused of assaulting two police lieutenants on the Brooklyn Bridge at the end of a march protesting the Eric Garner grand jury decision. | Last week, New York police arrested three men who are accused of assaulting two police lieutenants on the Brooklyn Bridge at the end of a march protesting the Eric Garner grand jury decision. |
| At the news conference Saturday night, Bratton said the day’s shootings would only add to the growing feeling that New York police officers are under attack, but he said he expected them to endure. | At the news conference Saturday night, Bratton said the day’s shootings would only add to the growing feeling that New York police officers are under attack, but he said he expected them to endure. |
| “Today, two of New York’s finest were shot and killed with no warning, no provocation,” he said. “They were, quite simply, assassinated — targeted for their uniform and for the responsibility they embraced to keep the people of this city safe.” | “Today, two of New York’s finest were shot and killed with no warning, no provocation,” he said. “They were, quite simply, assassinated — targeted for their uniform and for the responsibility they embraced to keep the people of this city safe.” |
| In a statement, President Obama said, “I unconditionally condemn today’s murder of two police officers in New York City. Two brave men won’t be going home to their loved ones tonight, and for that, there is no justification. The officers who serve and protect our communities risk their own safety for ours every single day — and they deserve our respect and gratitude every single day,” Obama said. “Tonight, I ask people to reject violence and words that harm, and turn to words that heal — prayer, patient dialogue, and sympathy for the friends and family of the fallen.” | In a statement, President Obama said, “I unconditionally condemn today’s murder of two police officers in New York City. Two brave men won’t be going home to their loved ones tonight, and for that, there is no justification. The officers who serve and protect our communities risk their own safety for ours every single day — and they deserve our respect and gratitude every single day,” Obama said. “Tonight, I ask people to reject violence and words that harm, and turn to words that heal — prayer, patient dialogue, and sympathy for the friends and family of the fallen.” |
| Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. also condemned the shooting, calling it “an unspeakable act of barbarism. I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of these two brave officers in the line duty. | Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. also condemned the shooting, calling it “an unspeakable act of barbarism. I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of these two brave officers in the line duty. |
| “This cowardly attack underscores the dangers that are routinely faced by those who protect and serve their fellow citizens,” Holder said in a statement. “As a nation we must not forget this as we discuss the events of the recent past.” | “This cowardly attack underscores the dangers that are routinely faced by those who protect and serve their fellow citizens,” Holder said in a statement. “As a nation we must not forget this as we discuss the events of the recent past.” |
| Through his National Action Network, the Rev. Al Sharpton released a statement several hours after the shooting condemning the use of violence as a means of affecting change. | Through his National Action Network, the Rev. Al Sharpton released a statement several hours after the shooting condemning the use of violence as a means of affecting change. |
| “I have spoken to the Garner family and we are outraged by the early reports of the police killed in Brooklyn today,” Sharpton said in the statement. “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.” | “I have spoken to the Garner family and we are outraged by the early reports of the police killed in Brooklyn today,” Sharpton said in the statement. “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.” |
| In a statement, the family of Michael Brown condemned the “senseless killing” of the officers. | In a statement, the family of Michael Brown condemned the “senseless killing” of the officers. |
| “We reject any kind of violence directed toward members of law enforcement,” read the statement, issued by family attorney Benjamin Crump. “It cannot be tolerated. We must work together to bring peace to our communities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers’ families during this incredibly difficult time.” | “We reject any kind of violence directed toward members of law enforcement,” read the statement, issued by family attorney Benjamin Crump. “It cannot be tolerated. We must work together to bring peace to our communities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers’ families during this incredibly difficult time.” |
| Some took aim at Holder, de Blasio and other government officials for what they view as anti-police statements in the wake of the Garner and Brown killings and judicial decisions. | Some took aim at Holder, de Blasio and other government officials for what they view as anti-police statements in the wake of the Garner and Brown killings and judicial decisions. |
| “Unfortunately, I don’t believe anyone connected to law enforcement is surprised this happened,” said Gary McLhinney, a former Baltimore police union president and former chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority police, who is now a labor negotiator for police unions. “Political rhetoric and lies have consequences. When our leaders make statements that encourage lawlessness and demean an entire profession, this is the result.” | “Unfortunately, I don’t believe anyone connected to law enforcement is surprised this happened,” said Gary McLhinney, a former Baltimore police union president and former chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority police, who is now a labor negotiator for police unions. “Political rhetoric and lies have consequences. When our leaders make statements that encourage lawlessness and demean an entire profession, this is the result.” |
| And former New York governor George Pataki, responding to the shootings via Twitter, said that he was “sickened by these barbaric acts, which sadly are a predictable outcome of divisive anti-cop rhetoric” of Holder and de Blasio. | And former New York governor George Pataki, responding to the shootings via Twitter, said that he was “sickened by these barbaric acts, which sadly are a predictable outcome of divisive anti-cop rhetoric” of Holder and de Blasio. |
| Holley and Markon reported from Washington. Sean Sullivan, J. Freedom du Lac, Peter Hermann, Ed O’Keefe and David Nakamura in Washington contributed to this report. | Holley and Markon reported from Washington. Sean Sullivan, J. Freedom du Lac, Peter Hermann, Ed O’Keefe and David Nakamura in Washington contributed to this report. |