February 13, 2020 – In Breaking News – CNN
A “coward” ex-con was taken into custody Sunday in New York City after two police officers were shot less than 12 hours apart in ambushes described as assassination attempts by the mayor and police commissioner.
Lt. Jose Gautreaux was in stable condition after being wounded Sunday morning in shooting caught on video at a Bronx precinct headquarters, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
Shea said a man taken into custody at the scene was also suspected in the previous attack on officers in a police van a few blocks away.
(A gunman is in custody after chilling 12 hours in which he is accused of ambushing police officers in the Bronx, wounding two in attacks. Courtesy of Eyewitness News ABC7NY and YouTube. Posted on Feb 9, 2020.)
Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking at a news conference Sunday, said Gautreaux was in stable condition.
The officer shot Saturday night, Paul Stroffolino, was released Sunday from Lincoln Hospital as a phalanx of officers saluted and cheered.
“Thank God our officers are alive,” de Blasio said.
“This was an attempt to assassinate police officers, we need to use the word. It was a premeditated effort to kill.”
Praying for the speedy recovery of NYPD Officer Paul Straffoloino and NYPD Lt. Jose Gautreaux. Their targeted attacks were senseless acts of violence on officers who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe. I thank every man and woman in blue who protects us day in and day out. https://t.co/Q3B9fHatrF
— Senator David Carlucci (@SenatorCarlucci) February 9, 2020
De Blasio called any attack targeting a police officer “an attack on all of us. It’s intolerable, and we will not accept it.”
Shea blamed criticism of police and demands for criminal justice changes for creating an atmosphere that fails to discourage attacks on officers.
“We’ve had people marching through the streets of New York City recently,” Shea said.
“Words matter and affect people’s behavior.”
(Two New York City police officers were wounded in back-to-back shootings this weekend. On Sunday morning, a gunman walked into a Bronx police station and opened fire, hitting one officer. Police say he’s the same man who wounded another officer, sitting in a police van on Saturday night. Both officers are expected to make full recoveries. Courtesy of CBS Evening News and YouTube. Posted on Feb 9, 2020.)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement saying he was “horrified” by the “heinous” attacks and promising that the attacker would be brought to justice.
President Donald Trump, on Twitter, took shots at Cuomo and de Blasio.
Trump tweeted that he grew up in the city and appreciated the great work by police.
“Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor … and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault,” Trump tweeted. “Stop this now!”
Shea said video from the Bronx precinct headquarters shows the man walking in at about 8 a.m. Sunday, pulling out a gun and shooting multiple rounds toward the main desk area.
The gunman then walked into an area around the desk and fired more rounds.
(Two NYPD officers came under fire while sitting in their police van in the Longwood section of the Bronx on Saturday night. Courtesy of CBS News and YouTube. Posted on Feb 8, 2020.)
Continue reading… 2 New York officers shot in ‘assassination attempts;’ Trump rips Mayor Bill de Blasio
Editor’s note: Our thoughts are with NYPD Officer Paul Straffoloino and Lt. Jose Gautreaux for a full recovery.
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Counterterrorism Experts Warn Police to be on Alert for Ambush Attacks
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