2 Police Killings Linked to Anti-Government Movement

Suspects consider themselves 'sovereign citizens'

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2012 2:48 AM CDT
Updated Aug 20, 2012 3:07 AM CDT

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2 Police Killings Linked to Anti-Government Movement — Sheriff Mike Tregre discusses attacks on his officers outside New Orleans. (FemBossNews)

The murders of two police officers in Louisiana have been linked to an anti-government movement, according to authorities. Several of seven suspects busted in attacks on police that killed two and injured two others are members of the "sovereign citizen" movement, who believe any form of government is illegitimate, reports ABC News. "Because they believe in particular law enforcement is not legitimate, they can be quite violent," said former FBI agent Brad Garrett.

The sovereign citizen movement is considered a domestic terrorism organization by the FBI. The suspects were busted after a shootout at a trailer park outside New Orleans. (More crime stories.)

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