The assassination of two New York City police officers has sent a chill across America, putting cops everywhere on high alert. INSIDE EDITION reports.
Cops across America are on high alert after the merciless assassination of two New york City police officers.
The killer, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, claimed the murders were in revenge for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown in confrontations with police, which triggered protests around the country where crowds chanted, "What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!"
Now, there is a fear of copycat assassinations.
Former NYPD Policer Commissioner Bernie Kerik blames Al Sharpton, who has led protests against the police and the mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio.
Kerik told INSIDE EDITION, "The assassin of these two cops sends out a message that he's going to kill two cops, and you had 251 people that liked that message, that agreed with that message. That's insane!"
Watch More of Kerik's Interview with INSIDE EDITION
Kerik continued, "I think the mayor and Al Sharpton are two of the people primarily responsible for inciting people like this assassin."
New York City cops are investigating 15 threats similar to the one that preceded the shootings. One, which police say was sent from a house in Memphis, was posted to Instagram: "Good job. Kill em all. I'm on the way to NY now #shootthepolice 2 more going down tomorrow."
At the very moment the assassinations were unfolding in New York City, yet another anti-police protest was bringing the Mall of America to a standstill.
New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, appearing on the Today show, said vicious anti-police protests led directly to the murder of officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.
"The targeting of these two police officers was a direct spin off of this issue and these demonstrations," said Bratton.
New York's mayor attended a mass for the two slain cops in St. Patrick's Cathedral Sunday, but dodged talking with reporters when he left. He visited the the families of the two slain officers for the first time Monday. And he spoke to an audience of cops in an previously scheduled speech, saying, "An attack on them is an attack on all of us."
Al Sharpton is condemning violence against the police, saying, "This is not about trying to take things in our own hands. That does not solve the problem of police misconduct."
A memorial for the two fallen officers continues to grow in Brooklyn on the street corner where the shooting occurred. People are leaving behind messages, notes, and many blue colored flowers and candles--those placed by fellow NYPD officers paying their respects.
Meanwhile, officer Ramos' son, Jaden, posted a heartbreaking goodbye to his dad on Facebook:
"He was the best father I could ask for. Everyone says they hate cops but they are the people they call for help. I will always love you and I will never forget you, RIP dad."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo visited the slain officers' families and said Jaden asked him why his dad had been killed.
Governor Cuomo told reporters, " 'What did my dad do wrong?' And the truth is, his father did nothing wrong. His father did everything right. His father was a beautiful public servant."
