Today, the law enforcement community mourns their own and prays that those injured will survive. This morning Baton Rouge police officers responded to a 911 call. A city and its police departments already on edge due to the misguided and misplaced anger concerning the Alton Sterling shooting, it was understandable that those officers responded with both haste and caution. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough.

Police received a call of a “suspicious person walking down Airline Highway with an assault rifle,” a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN. When police arrived, the shooting began.

Given the scope of the attack, its safe to presume the officers were targeted. Three families are devastated. Three officers are injured and fighting for their lives; and the law enforcement community is reeling once again.

One suspect, now deceased, has been identified. It remains unclear if there are more suspects or not as the investigation is still in early stages. However, should there be more and they are apprehended, they face the penalties that will be assessed under the new hate crimes legislation recently passed.

Louisiana’s governor signed a first-of-its-kind bill Thursday afternoon that makes it a hate crime to target police officers and first responders.

Called the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, the measure expands the state’s hate crime law to include law enforcement officers, firefighters and other emergency medical services personnel.

The reaction of elected officials has run the gamut.From Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards:

#lagov on the shooting of law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge today: pic.twitter.com/BU3B4Iznbe

— Gov John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) July 17, 2016

Who had more to say at the press conference this afternoon.

The RNC Louisiana delegation:

LA GOP delegation issues statement from Cleveland on #BatonRouge: "We will stand united and prayerful against evil" pic.twitter.com/KK9sbQgEPd

— ABC News (@ABC) July 17, 2016

Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal:

.@BobbyJindal responds to the #BatonRougeShooting. #BatonRouge pic.twitter.com/rUIkp7LE6y

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 17, 2016

Obama:

.@POTUS on the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge: https://t.co/rczTFpblUa pic.twitter.com/zgyPvCS0Na

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 17, 2016

His press conference this afternoon:

Dallas Police Chief David Brown:

Our thoughts and prayers are with Baton Rouge Police. @BRPD #PrayforBatonRouge

— Chief David O. Brown (@DPDChief) July 17, 2016

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings

“Violence against our police officers under any circumstances is not acceptable and poses a grave threat to all of us.”

Donald Trump:

We grieve for the officers killed in Baton Rouge today. How many law enforcement and people have to…https://t.co/pPNrzG8kEa

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2016

Hillary Clinton:

Hillary's statement on the shooting in Baton Rouge. pic.twitter.com/4a0MVF3025

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 17, 2016

The words of President Bush’s tribute to the five Dallas Police officers are sadly, tragically all too prescient today.

Every officer has accepted a calling that sets them apart. Most of us imagine, if the moment called for it, that we would risk our lives to protect a spouse or a child. Those wearing the uniform assume that risk for the safety of strangers. They and their families share the unspoken knowledge that each new day can bring new dangers.

As I stated above, three families are devastated and in mourning while three other officers fight for their lives. One officer has been identified.

He leaves behind a four month old son and a wife whose world has been shattered by hate. His words just a few days ago are worth reading many times over.

Thank you sir, for for your willingness to don the uniform of blue and demonstrate every single day your oath to protect and serve.

Please join us in praying for the families of the officers killed and wounded in the line of duty today. Please pray for all the men and women who stand guard over us at home. Please pray for that Thin but ever so strong Blue Line. Pray for our country.