Gavin Long of Kansas City indentified as Baton Rouge shooter through fingerprints

Louisiana authorities have officially identified Gavin Long, of Kansas City, as the man suspected of “ambushing” several police officers and killing three on Sunday.

Through a Facebook post, the Louisiana State Police said Long was positively identified just after midnight early Monday morning.

“It was important for us to withhold official confirmation until we had positive ID through investigative means,” the post read. “This was accomplished late last night through fingerprints.”

Autopsies on the three officers were scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Monday. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner was expected to release preliminary findings later in the afternoon.

Long’s autopsy is planned for Tuesday.

Six things to know about Gavin Eugene Long

A 2005 graduate of Grandview High School, Long is from the Kansas City area. He’s believed to have traveled from Kansas City to Dallas and then Baton Rouge. Sunday was his 29th birthday.

People from across the country have flooded social media with support for Baton Rouge police. Many call for the violence to stop.

“Prayers to all of Baton Rouge,” read one comment on the police department’s Facebook page. “Another senseless act. Innocent lives taken because of the ignorance of one.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 9:22 AM with the headline "Gavin Long of Kansas City indentified as Baton Rouge shooter through fingerprints."