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New York City on edge: 2 NYPD officers shot, another stabbed during post-curfew confrontation
A New York City police officer was randomly attacked and stabbed in the neck late Wednesday while patrolling in Brooklyn, which resulted in a struggle that caused two additional officers to suffer gunshot wounds. It was not immediately clear if the incident was related to the unrest over the death of George Floyd.
Police said at an early news conference Thursday that a preliminary investigation indicated a male suspect walked up to the officers casually and whipped out the knife. They said the officers involved had been assigned to an anti-looting post to prevent people from breaking into stores.
The shooting happened in Brooklyn nearly four hours after an 8 p.m. curfew that was implemented to quell continued unrest over death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died in Minneapolis police custody May 25 after a white officer kneeled on his neck for more than 8 minutes in a moment caught on cellphone video.
Two additional officers were struck in the hand by gunfire during the incident, police said. They were rushed to Kings County Hospital and are expected to survive.
Nearby officers later heard the gunshots and responded to find the suspect brandishing a gun, that police said was likely taken from an officer. The suspect was shot multiple times in the scene which Shea described as "chaotic." He added that 22 shell casings were recovered following the incident.
News of the incident only heightened tensions in a city already on edge from several days of violence and looting since Floyd's death sparked protests, riots and looting nationwide. Police were out in droves in cities across the country Wednesday night to enforce curfews that were seen as helping reduce late-night rioting, and officials were hoping for a calmer night amid the ongoing unrest. Click here for more on our top story.
Other related developments:
- Judge Napolitano on whether Minnesota has enough for 2nd-degree murder conviction
- Feds investigating whether 'professional' Antifa-linked agitators exerting 'command and control' over unrest
- Texas man with 'assault rifle' at Floyd protest allegedly plotted 'to off racists and MAGA people'
- ‘Boogaloo’ suspects accused of trying to ‘incite violence’ at Floyd protest in Vegas, feds say
In this image from video provided by My Brother's Keeper Alliance and The Obama Foundation, former President Barack Obama speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2020, during virtual town hall event with young people to discuss policing and the civil unrest that has followed the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. (My Brother's Keeper Alliance and The Obama Foundation via AP)
Obama urges Floyd protesters to use anger to enact change and 'make people in power uncomfortable'
Former President Barack Obama, in a virtual town hall hosted by his foundation Wednesday, called on demonstrators to channel their anger over George Floyd's death into an opportunity for pressure leaders into making real policy changes and compared current protests to the unrest of the 1960s.
The town hall was hosted by the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Alliance, which supports young men of color. During the event, Obama said he rejected a debate that emerged in “a little bit of chatter on the internet" about “voting versus protests, politics and participation versus civil disobedience and direct action.”
“This is not an either-or. This is a both,” he said. “And to bring about real change, we both have to highlight a problem and make people in power uncomfortable, but we also have to translate that into practical solutions and laws that could be implemented and monitored and make sure we’re following up on.”
Obama also urged “every mayor in the country to review your use of force policies” with their communities and “commit to report on planned reforms” before prioritizing their implementation. Click here for more.
Other related developments:
-Trump says he went to White House bunker for 'inspection,' hits back at criticism of church visit
- Cuomo says Trump policies ‘vicious’ for New York
- Obama-era ex-intel official secures bail for NYC lawyer suspected of hurling Molotov cocktail in George Floyd unrest
- Angela Stanton-King says Obama, Biden should have done 'much more' to combat racism
Trump fires back after Mattis condemns his 'mockery' of Constitution: 'Glad he is gone!'
James Mattis, who served as President Trump's first defense secretary, excoriated the president in a statement to The Atlantic published on Wednesday -- urging Americans to "reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution."
Trump issued his own blistering condemnation on Twitter late Wednesday, pointing out that then-President Obama removed Mattis as head of U.S. Central Command in 2013.
"Probably the only thing Barack Obama and I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis, the world’s most overrated General," Trump wrote. "I asked for his letter of resignation, & felt great about it. His nickname was 'Chaos', which I didn’t like, & changed it to 'Mad Dog.' His primary strength was not military, but rather personal public relations. I gave him a new life, things to do, and battles to win, but he seldom 'brought home the bacon'. I didn’t like his 'leadership' style or much else about him, and many others agree. Glad he is gone!" Click here for more.
Other related developments:
- Acting DHS Secretary Wolf responds to Mattis blast against Trump
- Ari Fleischer says Mattis 'reached his breaking point' with 'extraordinary' criticism of Trump
- Gen. John Allen, anti-ISIS envoy under Obama, rips Trump in Foreign Policy op-ed
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TODAY'S MUST-READS
George Floyd tested positive for coronavirus but showed no symptoms, autopsy reveals.
Rosenstein denies he suggested wearing wire, invoking 25th Amendment against Trump.
Los Angeles to slash up to $150M from LAPD budget, reinvest into communities of color.
Drew Brees receives intense backlash from star athletes after remarks about protesting during national anthem.
Meghan Markle says ‘George Floyd’s life mattered,’ in graduation speech to her LA high school.
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SOME PARTING WORDS
Sean Hannity asks if protesters will "demand justice" on behalf of the law enforcement officers killed and injured during the recent days of looting and rioting.
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