Southern California officials react to fatal police shootings in Dallas

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti condemned the shooting Thursday that left four Dallas officers dead and seven others injured and called it “an attack on us all.”

“Tonight’s attacks undermine our democracy and were an attack on us all,” Garcetti said on Twitter. “We caot let hate spread like a disease in our country.

“These officers died protecting our collective right to peacefully protest.”

Other local officials spoke out about the shootings and shared their support for the officers in Dallas.

“What we do know is these officers were killed and injured simply for the badge they pin over their hearts,” Tom Dominguez, the president of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, said in a statement. “They were doing their job — maintaining law and order and keeping their community safe.

“In doing their jobs these true public servants laid down their own lives. We mou the loss of our fellow officers and their surviving family members and pray for their loved ones and the people of Dallas as they struggle to understand.”

Similar messages were posted to the Twitter feeds of law enforcement agencies.

“Our heart breaks for Dallas tonight,” the Califoia Highway Patrol’s community outreach and media relations department tweeted.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brave men and women of Dallas PD and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit PD,” the Azusa Police Department tweeted.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck called the shootings a “tragedy beyond belief.”

“Blue lives matter, they are willingly given and senselessly taken,” Beck wrote on Twitter.

The LAPD is “closely monitoring” the situation in Dallas with officers ready to respond to any situation from any point, Officer Tony Im told City News Service.

The department is not on a tactical alert, Im said.

Beck is slated to address the Dallas shootings at Friday moing’s recruit graduation.

Garcetti’s message was spread over four tweets and included his personal support and that of his city.

“My heart goes out to the families of officers who died tonight & our hopes are with those officers and civilian fighting for their lives,” Garcetti tweeted. “Our country depends on both those who protect our democracy and those who embody it. LA is with you Dallas.”

City News Service contributed to this report.

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