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Live updates: Three police officers shot dead in Baton Rouge

  • Three police officers have been shot dead in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • The gunman, named as ex-marine Gavin Long, has been shot and killed
  • He had posted videos online complaining about the police treatment of African-Americans
  • Surveillance photos have been released showing Long 'intentionally targeting' police and he had scoped out areas to carry out his attack
  • US President Barack Obama has called on his country to unite and avoid divisive language
  • Our Washington correspondent said America is facing a racial division that is spiralling out of control
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Baton Rouge officers 'were targeted and assassinated'

Gavin Long shot dead the the officers on his 29th birthday in an ambush-style attack before he was shot dead, Credit: Twitter

The decorated ex-US marine sergeant who shot dead three police officers in Louisiana targeted them and assassinated them, authorities said on Monday.

One of three officers wounded by Gavin Long in Sunday's shootings was hospitalized and fighting for his life, police said at a news conference.

Detectives also released a photo showing three guns recovered from the shooting in Baton Rouge.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated," Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson said of the Sunday incident at the news conference.

"It was a calculated act against those who work to protect this community every single day." Edmonson said "the most compelling piece of evidence is the video."

Officers also revealed:

  • They are examining Gavin Long's social media footprint
  • Multiple pieces of evidence have been seized from the shooting scene
  • Long had been in the city for several days
Police showed this image of the three guns recovered at a news conference on Monday. Credit: RTV
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Live updates: Three police officers shot dead in Baton Rouge

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