Lynch Condemns Violence in Ferguson

As U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke at the opening of the national convention of the Fraternal Order of Police in Pittsburgh Monday morning, she addressed the violent confrontation between a gunman and four plainclothes detectives in Ferguson, Mo. Sunday night.

"I strongly condemn the violence against the community, including police officers, in Ferguson," Lynch told the officers in attendance. "As we have seen over the recent months and years, not only does violence obscure any message of peaceful protest, it places the community, as well as the officers who seek to protect it, in harm's way."

Protests marking one year since the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer spiraled into chaos on the city's streets after officials said 18-year-old Tyrone Harris Jr. fired multiple shots at the St. Louis County plainclothes detectives in an SUV. The detectives returned fire and critically wounded the gunman.

"The weekend's events were peaceful and promoted a message of reconciliation and healing. But incidents of violence, such as we saw last night, are contrary to both that message, along with everything that all of us, including this group, have worked to achieve over the past year," Lynch said.

The head of the Department of Justice told the officers that her agency is always working to keep officers safe.

"I want you to know that the Department of Justice is committed to doing all that we can to ensure that you have the tools and resources you need to perform these difficult jobs as effectively – and as safely – as possible," she said. "I am committed – to using every tool, every resource and every strategy that will support your efforts and advance our shared mission. I will never lose sight of the work you do or the difference you make.