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Two Louisville Officers Shot At Protests Following Hearing on Breonna Taylor’s Death

An assailant shot two Louisville police officers on Wednesday night amid protests. Protesters took to the street across the country. They protested a Kentucky attorney general decision not to charge the officers directly involved with Breonna Taylor’s death.

Police shot and killed Taylor, a 26-year-old ER tech, after raiding her apartment in Louisville on March 13. Protesters gathered in Washington D.C., New York City, Atlanta and in Louisville. In Louisville, protesters marched through the streets, chanting “No justice, no peace.”

Protesters filled the streets for Breonna Taylor’s memory.

The protesters ignored a 72-hour curfew that went into place at 9 p.m. in the city. Around 500 member of the Kentucky National Guard and the police department patrolled the streets downtown to keep the peace and clear out demonstrators by the curfew.

The Louisville Police Department’s interim chief announced the shootings during a press briefing. Robert Schroeder, interim chief, said that doctors had one officer in surgery. Both were stable and should make a recovery. He also said a suspect for the shootings is in custody.

“I am very concerned about the safety of our officers,” Schroeder said. “We have had two officers shot tonight and it’s very serious. It’s a dangerous condition. I think the safety of the officers and community we serve is utmost importance.”

Around 8: 30 p.m., the department had deployed officers to downtown after reports of gunfire in a crowded area. After the shooting, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned protesters to go home on Wednesday night.

“We know that the answer to violence is never violence. And we are thinking about those two officers and their families tonight. So I’m asking everybody: please, go home. Go home tonight,” he said. “There will be many times over the coming days where there will be an opportunity to be heard. And so many people are listening right now. As your governor, I’ve promised to listen.”

Beshear urged people to “stay safe”. He expressed his thoughts are with the officers and their families.

The department did not release the names of the officers.

[H/T: CNN]