By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Thursday, July 7, 2016, Black Lives Matter activists staged a protest in Dallas, following the police shooting of an armed suspect in Baton Rogue during a scuffle. Heavily armed militants then used the event to target the police officers providing security for the event. As of press time, five officers were confirmed dead.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R) said in a statement, “We send out our prayers to the men and women of the Dallas Police Department and to all law enforcement personnel who labor in harm’s way to keep us safe. They are the Thin Blue Line protecting us every day.”
Conservative pundit Michelle Malkin reported near press time, “Latest late night #DallasAmbush #Dallas update: A FIFTH police officer has died. R.I.P. 3 suspects are in custody. 1 is still in a standoff, threatening more violence against cops and claiming to have planted bombs across the city. Downtown Dallas is in lockdown, workers urged to stay home tomorrow, FAA restrictions in place. DPD not sure all suspects in coordinated attack are in custody, investigating whether they had advance knowledge of BLM protest route.”
Alabama Auditor Jim Zeigler (R) said in a statement on the Dallas police shootings: “The villains who shot the innocent police officers in Dallas were not only evil and murderous, they were also illogical. What did police officers in Dallas have to do with shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Auditor Zeigler said, “The Dallas shootings did not ‘make a statement.’ Instead, they took the lives of innocent officers who were doing their jobs, guarding an otherwise peaceful protest. All who encouraged the Dallas murderers are guilty of aiding and abetting. All who knew this was being planned and did nothing to stop it are accessories to murder.”
Zeigler said, “We lift up prayers for the families and friends of the five dead and 11 wounded officers. May God place his protective hand over all our officers — and all our people. Evil is among us, and we must resist it.”
Blogger and a longtime leader in the Black community Donald Watkins said in a statement “Violence is never the answer! No one should ever assassinate or execute a police officer. Let’s pray for the injured Dallas police officers and for the families of the four dead officers.”
Watkins said, “I will address police violence and violence against police in the very near future. This is a time for strong leadership and for cooler heads to prevail.”
President Obama condemned the attack as a “vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement.” The President warned that we still don’t know all the facts and expressed his, “Deepest condolences to the American people.” “They were on duty doing their jobs, keeping people safe during peaceful protests… They were targeted and nearly a dozen officers were shot,” President Obama said.
Multiple news sources are reporting that the militant who was in the standoff with police has killed himself.
