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De Blasio: 'We Weep For Officers Shot In Baton Rouge'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City officials are reacting to the shooting in Baton Rouge where three officers were killed Sunday morning.

"We weep for officers shot in Baton Rouge," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "We mourn with their families. We hope for conversation. We've got to be better."

While speaking at First Central Baptist Church in Staten Island, de Blasio urged police and communities to overcome stereotypes on both sides, and to come together through peaceful dialogue.

"This is unacceptable and I want to say what everyone knows -- an attack on our police is an attack on all of us," de Blasio said.

Eric Adams, a former New York City police officer and current Brooklyn Borough president, told WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini it always hurts to hear an officer died in the line of duty, but it's traumatizing when officers are targeted and assassinated.

"And that traumatization really has rippling effects all over the country," Adams said. "There's nothing more frightful than an officer who feels a level of vulnerability."

Adams said officers have to feel safe for the public to be safe. He said efforts on both sides are needed to rebuild trust between police and the communities they serve.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the shootings a "cowardly attack."

"Today, our hearts are heavy as we struggle to cope with the horrific shootings of police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana – a cowardly attack that resulted in three deaths. These heroes put their lives on the line every day to protect their fellow citizens and the senseless manner in which their lives were taken is appalling," Cuomo said.

CBS News has identified the suspect as Gavin Long, a 29-year-old black man who was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2010.

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