SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Popular photo-sharing service Instagram on Saturday took down the account of the man said to be behind the "assassination" of two New York City police officers, after the 28-year-old gunman's veiled threats and provocative messages went viral in the wake of the execution-style shootings.
Posted just hours before Ismaaiyl Brinsley allegedly walked up to two officers in a parked squad car in Brooklyn and shot them dead, the dark messages again cast a spotlight on the role of social media in spotting and revealing public threats of violence.