Public Enemy Member Denies Links To Dallas Shooter

Public Enemy member Professor Griff, real name Robert Griffin, has denied any ties to Micah Johnson, who killed five police officers in Dallas last week, after a photo posted to the shooter's social media handles shows him shaking hands with the US rapper. 

Griffin took to Twitter to dismiss any speculation that he shares a relationship with Johnson. 

"I will not sit back and let these people assassinate my character and tie me to the Dallas shootings," Griffin wrote in the first of a series of tweets. 

"As you seek to detained Me and or arrest me, I will not sit idle and watch you frame me.

"The police and FBI have been watching me and tapping my phone they know who I talk too, I DO NOT KNOW THE SHOOTER.

"I do not advocate killing Cops."

I will not sit back and let these people assassinate my character and tie me to the Dallas shootings. pic.twitter.com/t41Hl9TJuK

— Professor Griff (@GRIFFTHENME) July 8, 2016

As you seek to detained Me and or arrest me, I will not sit idle and watch you frame me. pic.twitter.com/JZPg2NKy0d

— Professor Griff (@GRIFFTHENME) July 8, 2016

The police and FBI have been watching me and tapping my phone they know who I talk too, I DO NOT KNOW THE SHOOTER. pic.twitter.com/8zUk4gdkwL

— Professor Griff (@GRIFFTHENME) July 8, 2016

'I do not advocate killing Cops" pic.twitter.com/U3wQlNAzbI

— Professor Griff (@GRIFFTHENME) July 8, 2016

"No Mr white officer I do not train snipers to kill cops" pic.twitter.com/HZwv6Z7BHA

— Professor Griff (@GRIFFTHENME) July 8, 2016

Though Griffin is yet to explain how, why or when the photo with Johnson was taken, the two men have both 'liked' the New Black Panther Party on Facebook.

According to ABC, the party is known for its anti-Semitic and anti-white views and the Dallas Police Department said Griffin "embraces a radical form of Afrocentrism". 

Fellow Public Enemy member Chuck D came to the defence of Griffin and blasted anyone linking the iconic hip group to the shootings. 

"The media grouping this person in a pic w @GRIFFTHENME was sadly unacceptable.Artists athletes & Lecturers take thousands of PHONEpics today," he said on Twitter. 

"Stupid SHT. News Media associating PE with Dallas is like accusing TheBeatles of the fkn Manson murders.Or do I KNOW too much Music history?"

The media grouping this person in a pic w @GRIFFTHENME was sadly unacceptable.Artists athletes & Lecturers take thousands of PHONEpics today

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 8, 2016

The narrative is POLICE REFORM in USA hoods.Not killing THEM.There are UNDER-educated millions who LIVE off PERCEPTION not reality of truth

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 8, 2016

Stupid SHT. News Media associating PE with Dallas is like accusing TheBeatles of the fkn Manson murders.Or do I KNOW too much Music history?

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 9, 2016

The news comes after US rappers Snoop Dogg and The Game led a peaceful protest outside of the LA Police Department hours after the shootings, where they were joined by around 100 people. 

Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus, said the aim of the protest was to engage in conversation with police.

"We are tired of what is going on and it's communication that is lacking," Broadus said.

"So we just want to get some dialogue and the communication going so that way, when they [rookie officers] hit the streets, they'll know who they are dealing with and we'll have a different respect for them."

The Game added, "If you are a human being and you have ears and eyes to see, this is a day of change.

"I think that we need to take responsibility as a human race and accept the role as peace-givers and people that distribute love and change throughout this city."