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Rev. Al Sharpton, community leaders express outrage over murder of 2 NYPD officers

Posted 6:57 PM, December 20, 2014, by and
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NEW YORK (PIX11) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton and several community leaders are speaking out about their outrage regarding the execution-style death of two NYPD officers Saturday afternoon.

In a statement released Saturday night, Sharpton said he spoke with the Garner family regarding the shooting.

"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," the statement said. "We have stressed at every rally and march that anyone engaged in any violence is an enemy to the pursuit of justice for Eric Garner and Michael Brown... The Garner family and I have always stressed that we do not believe that all police are bad, in fact we have stressed that most police are not bad."

Councilmember Ritchie Torres also released a statement regarding the death of the officers.

"I am horrified, as all decent New Yorkers should be, by the recent murder of two police officers in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Any one who shoots a NYC police officer, much less executes one in cold blood, should be aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Last Saturday, two New York officers were assaulted on the Brooklyn Bridge during demonstrations that have been mostly peaceful. Police arrested four people.

Tensions between the community and police have heightened around the country since the Brown and Garner deaths.

So far, police have not commented on the motive for the Brooklyn shootings, except to say the officers were not engaging the shooter in any way when they were shot.

The city's police union and Mayor Bill de Blasio have sparred over the treatment of officers.

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association recently sent a form for members to sign requesting the mayor not attend funerals of anyone killed in the line of duty, accusing de Blasio of "consistent refusal to show police officers the support and respect they deserve."

The mayor's office expressed disappointment with the PBA.

"Incendiary rhetoric like this serves only to divide the city, and New Yorkers reject these tactics," the city said in a letter. "The mayor and the speaker both know better than to think this inappropriate stunt represents the views of the majority of police officers and their families."

Sharpton will hold a press conference Sunday morning express their condolences to the families and police department.

17 comments

  • MJCasson

    I lay the blame for this tragedy directly at the feet of Sharpton and DiBlasio. They have generated an atmosphere that has created an “open season on law enforcement officers” mentality. What they have to say now is too little too late.

  • YOUDIDTHIS

    What was the chant during YOUR protest this weekend Al Sharton? Oh Yeah “what do we want?” DEAD COPS “when do we want it?” NOW

  • Gene Baca

    DiBlasio should resign his position, he is not fit to be a leader–no respect for the NYPD. As for Sharpton send him off to Iran.

  • John Galt

    Sharpton got what he wanted – dead cops. Now Rev Racebaiter is going to find out what it’s like to feel in deep sh*t.

  • Sara Schmit

    While the protestors were chanting “What do we want-, Dead Cops, When do we want them, Now” Over and Over. Al Sharpton, Diblasio, Eric Holder, President Obama went deaf as they always do when crimes are committed against police, or whites. The promoted this and they should be held responsible for the death of these police officers and so many crimes that are being instigated against whites throughout the country since racist Obama has been president.

  • Kevin

    What gets me is Sharpton is only upset because the two officers were executed due to the Garner case and that’s bad publicity.

  • Justa Payer

    Shapton, obama, holder, belagio AND THE “KILL THE COPS” , all criminaal minded protestors, ALL have blood on your hands! The is a land of laws that support civil behaviour. Bigots of any COLOR should not be tolerated. You can’t have it both ways.

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