Tensions flare after two NYC officers killed: #tellusatoday

The man who fatally shot two New York City police officers Saturday had made comments about the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, authorities say. Letter to the editor:

I felt that, over the last couple of weeks, New York City was making progress and coming together. However, the stunning fatal shooting of two police officers by a disturbed man with a gun, and the hateful venom that was spouted afterward, has once again returned many people to the old mind-set of "us vs. them" ("Detective: Shooter said, 'Watch what I'm going to do'").

A man who shoots his girlfriend and then declares he is on a mission to kill is no more influenced by peaceful protests than an insane killer who claimed a neighbor's Labrador retriever commanded him to kill. I hope that the levelheaded efforts of non-violent New Yorkers will once again make progress toward peace and justice without further tragedies.

M. W. Schwartzwalder; Walden, N.Y.

Comments from Facebook and Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

Unfortunately, the good cops are paying the price for the actions of a few bad cops.

People who are feeble minded know the cops only by the uniforms they wear, not as individuals.

— Ben Farmin

These killings are truly sad. An eye for an eye makes the world blind.

— Tom Lee

What did we think was going to happen after non-stop vilification of police by liberal politicians and others?

The lowlifes are not only encouraged, but they also feel they will be supported in doing violence against police. They feel justified.

— Don Scotter

Blame the person who shot these two cops. Anger is hard to manage by some people, especially when two unarmed people are killed by cops who do not get indicted.

Peaceful protest is the only way to go. It is what the Rev. Al Sharpton has been saying.

— Gregory Coleman

I hope Americans can unite and come together in this tragedy like Australia has with its recent tragedy.

— @beldandolo

To try to assign blame for the cause, other than a truly sick mind, is dangerous.

— @authorfazzolari

Inciting hostility toward police ignites and invites violence. Harsh rhetoric can be as harmful as a gun.

— @LifeDeathMatter

These deaths have nothing to do with a situation that has been peaceful for months. The shooter is a criminal and killed himself.

— @bijancbayne

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.