The NAACP Legal Defense Fund came out swiftly with a statement condemning the brutal murder of two New York City police officers Sunday, while exploiting the event to demand gun control and trying to claim it had no connection to the recent protests against police following the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

“Yesterday’s fatal shooting of two police officers in New York is shocking and tragic. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under Law extend their condolences to the families and colleagues of both officers, and we stand with the residents of New York City in mourning this senseless loss of life,” began the statement.

“These two killings…like so many other unfortunate incidences of gun violence, provide a stark example of the need for sensible gun control measures,” the statement continued.

“While some may suggest a causal link between these killings and the recent protests and activism focused on the serious issue of police violence against unarmed African Americans, we caution against escalating an already tense national state through rumor and conjecture,” the statement from the NAACP’s legal arm claimed.

“Whatever motivation lay in the apparently troubled mind of the now deceased shooter of these officers, there is no connection between the peaceful protests of thousands of people of all races all over the country and, indeed, around the world, and this hideous act of violence.”

While the NAACP may argue that it is only “rumor and “conjecture” that there’s a link between the protests and the killings, the suspected gunman — Ismaaiyl Brinsley — claimed on his own Instagram account that this action was in retaliation for the deaths of Brown and Garner at the hands of police officers. (RELATED: Suspect In NYPD Cop Execution Sought Revenge For Mike Brown And Eric Garner)

“I’m Putting Wings On Pigs Today. They Take 1 Of Ours…Let’s Take 2 of Theirs #ShootThePolice #RIPErivGarner #RIPMikeBrown This May Be My Final Post I’m Putting Pigs In A Blanket,” Brinsley posted shortly after ambushing the two cops in their squad car.

Follow Scott Greer on Twitter