Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Florida lawmakers are standing with Texas, saying they join the country in mourning the law enforcement officers killed in a deadly attack in Dallas.
“The violence displayed against Dallas law enforcement was a senseless and cowardly act that has no place in our country. Law enforcement officers across the nation bravely put their lives on the line every day in order to protect our homes, our communities, and our families,” said Gov. Rick Scott in a statement Friday morning. “We join of all of America in mourning these fallen heroes and praying for the recovery of those injured. Just as Texas stood with Florida following the Orlando terror attack last month, Florida will stand with Texas during this unfathomably difficult time.”
Five officers were killed, and seven more were injured, when snipers opened fire during protests over two recent fatal police shootings of black men. Two civilians were also wounded, Dallas Police Chief David Brown said during a news conference Friday morning.
“Every day, our law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect us,” said House Majority Leader Dana Young in a statement Friday. “I stand with law enforcement.”
Brown said the suspect, who was killed by an explosive used by police, told negotiators he was upset over the recent police shootings of black men and wanted to kill white people.
Three other suspects have been arrested.
The shooting is believed to be the deadliest day in U.S. law enforcement history since Sept. 11, 2001. On Friday, Scott ordered flags be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout Florida until July 12.
“It is on mornings like this after evenings like last night where we are confronted with the reality of the dangers our law enforcement officers face every day, putting themselves between us and danger, even at the ultimate cost to themselves and their families,” said Rep. Chris Sprowls in a statement. “We pray for the families of the police officers killed in Dallas last night, for all the members of the Dallas Police Department, and for all those who put themselves between us and harm’s way. May God watch over you. Gone but not forgotten.”
A spokeswoman for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said the mayor has been in touch with the sheriff, and is “incredibly troubled by the events we’ve seen occurring across the country over these past several days.”
Donald Trump announced Friday morning he was canceling two campaign events in Miami Friday. According to the Miami Herald, the presumptive Republican nominee had planned to hold a lunch with high-profile supporters, including Sen. Marco Rubio. He was then scheduled to give a speech at the DoubleTree hotel near Miami International Airport.
Hillary Clinton also postponed a campaign event with Vice President Joe Biden in Scranton, Penn.
Here is a sampling of what other Florida lawmakers and politicians are saying:
Congresswoman Gwen Graham: “As the wife of a sworn law enforcement officer, my heart breaks for the police in Dallas and their families. As an American, my heart breaks for our country. We must come together to end this senseless violence. Whenever I see a law enforcement officer, whether it’s alongside a parade or walking into the Capitol, I thank them for their service. I hope you will join me in thanking an officer, today, in wake of this tragedy — and throughout the year, every day, as they risk their lives to protect us.”
Former Gov. Charlie Crist: “This violence is not who we are as a nation. We must come together and take action to heal, unite, and overcome acts rooted in hate. As Robert Kennedy said decades ago, the United States needs “love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country.”
Gov. Rick Scott on Twitter: “Just as Texas stood with Florida following Orlando, Florida will stand with Texas during this unfathomably difficult time. #Dallas”
Rep. Matt Gaetz on Twitter: “Praying for the fallen officers, their families, and the entire city of #Dallas.”
Annette Taddeo on Twitter: “My heart breaks for the #Dallas officers shot while honorably protecting peaceful protesters, I pray for their families & our country.”
Former state Rep. Jimmy Patronis on Twitter: “Prayers for those families of those fallen lawmen in Dallas. They were just doing their job. I also pray for our country to heal.”
Republican Senate candidate Carlos Beruff on Twitter: “The families of the victims in Dallas are in our prayers. Hate breeds all kinds of evil acts, as we have seen over the last few weeks. The murder of Dallas police officers last night is the latest loss we suffer as a country that is too often divided.”
Rep. Greg Steube: “I am incredibly saddened to read the reports of the tragedy in Dallas yesterday. I pray for the families of the fallen police officers and for everyone affected by this event. We, as Americans, cannot continue to allow such senseless acts of violence to take place. We must come together, place aside our differences and unite to end this appalling hatred. I pray for our law enforcement, our community and our nation.”
Florida Senate on Twitter: “Our prayers are with our fellow Americans in Texas today.”
Adam Putnam on Twitter: “Our shared vision for a free and peaceful nation cannot become clouded by divisiveness. May we pray for the officers and other lives lost.”
Florida GOP on Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the #Dallas law enforcement victims and their families.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
