President Obama, Family Of Michael Brown Condemn Killing Of Two NYPD Officers In Brooklyn
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Barack Obama says he unconditionally condemns the murder of two police officers shot in broad daylight on Saturday in New York.
Obama says there's no justification for the slayings. He says police offers risk their own safety to serve and protect their communities and that they deserve the public's respect and gratitude.
Authorities say that before shooting the officers, the gunman announced online he planned to shoot two ``pigs'' in retaliation for the police chokehold death of Eric Garner. The gunman later killed himself.
Obama is asking Americans to reject violence and harmful words. He's encouraging people instead to embrace words that heal, and to seek out prayer and sympathy for the victims' relatives.
President Obama is offering full support and federal assistance to the New York Police Department in the wake of the killing of two officers.
The White House says Obama called New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton on Sunday from Hawaii, where the president is vacationing and offered condolences.
President Obama, Family Of Michael Brown Condemn Killing Of Two NYPD Officers In Brooklyn
It was full circle for the family of Eric Garner, still grieving their loss, and now denouncing the loss of two NYPD officers by the rogue gunman who sought to avenger Garner's death.
"I would ask that everyone that is protesting with us, please protest in a nonviolent way. My husband was not a violent man so we don't want any violence connected to his name," Garner's widow Eesaw said.
On Sunday morning, Rev. Al Sharpton condemned those who blamed Mayor de Blasio.
"The blame game will only lead to further kinds of venom and further division," Sharpton said, "It is a moral thing. There are those of us committed to nonviolence, and making the system work."
The family of Michael Brown, who was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, has also released a statement condemning the shooting deaths of the two New York City officers.
The statement released Saturday by the Parks & Crump law firm says Brown's family rejects "any kind of violence directed toward members of law enforcement. It cannot be tolerated.''
It calls on citizens to ``work together to bring peace to our communities.''
The brief statement concludes saying, ``Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers' families during this incredibly difficult time.''
A Missouri grand jury refused to indict the white officer who shot Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old.
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