WARSAW, Poland — President Barack Obama says America is “horrified” over the shootings of police officers in Dallas and there’s no possible justification for the attacks and Attorney General Loretta Lynch also issued a statement on the Dallas shootings.
Obama is speaking from Warsaw, Poland, where he’s meeting with leaders of the European Union and attending a NATO summit.
Obama says justice will be done and he’s asking all Americans to pray for the fallen officers and their families. He also says the nation should express its gratitude to those serving in law enforcement.
Snipers opened fire on police officers in the heart of Dallas Thursday evening, killing five officers and injuring six others during protests over two recent fatal police shootings of black men.
Obama said earlier there was no contradiction between supporting law enforcement and making certain biases in the justice system are rooted out.
Congressman Jim Himes, who represents Connecticut’s 4th District, which includes the communities of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, Stamford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton, released the following statement:
“Grief does not begin to describe the pain in my heart for the fallen officers in Dallas, victims of a vicious premeditated attack. These murders, following so quickly the profoundly troubling deaths of Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile, the mass shooting in Orlando and the seemingly daily onslaught of violence in American communities, have shaken us deeply. The loss of any innocent life is a tragedy, and it must stop. More violence will solve nothing.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal released the following statement:
“The heart-wrenching tragedies over the past days test the legal fabric and moral resolve of our great nation. Coming together, we must lock arms and hearts as we seek healing and justice. My heart goes out to the families of five courageous police officers who were killed last night and all who were injured. They were victims of brutal and unconscionable criminal attacks. I am especially saddened that this heinous attack took place as these officers were selflessly protecting their fellow citizens’ ability to exercise a most fundamental right—the right to gather in peaceful protest. With horrific repetition, gun violence continues to take lives—an evil we must root out. I hope that even in the face of the tragedies, our communities continue to come together to begin the difficult work of bringing wrongdoers to justice, healing, and moving forward.”
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty released the following statement:
“I am heartbroken and outraged over the targeted attack on the Dallas police force yesterday that killed five officers and wounded seven others, and also wounded two civilians. I am praying for the victims’ families, and reaching out to the law enforcement communities in central and northwest Connecticut to express my sorrow, gratitude, and support.
“Now more than ever, we need law, order, justice, and peace. These outrageous murders in Dallas only compound the heartache and injustice felt by millions of Americans over the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Black lives matter. We must say so, and we must commit to pursuing justice.
“No one is more committed to the pursuit of justice than our law enforcement community. I’m incredibly proud of our police officers in central and northwest Connecticut – and their families – and grateful for their service to ensure peace and security for our communities every day. Our police also feel under siege.
“Injustice, violence, and hate can never remedy injustice. As Dr. King said: ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ Today more than ever we must unite to bring our communities together to ensure respect and safety for everyone.”
Congressman Joe Courtney made the following statement:
“There are no words which can adequately convey what a horrific and heartbreaking day this is for the United States of America. As the reporting from Dallas this morning has made clear, what occurred last night was an execution-style attack on Dallas police officers who were engaged in protecting freedom of speech and ensuring public safety – the highest form of public service.
“As Congresswoman, Eddie Bernice Johnson Dallas powerfully stated on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, all Americans, all of us must come together to stop the escalation of senseless violence that is killing and injuring innocents of every type – sworn, uniformed police officers, and civilians who are peacefully going about their lawful business. The need to unite is not a wishful dream, but rather a grim necessity if we are to stop the havoc that threatens us all.”
