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Dallas protest shooting: five police officers dead and standoff over – live Dallas protest shooting: five police officers dead and standoff over – live
(35 minutes later)
2.39pm BST
14:39
Oliver Laughland
To reiterate, five police officers were shot and killed and six injured in what appears to be a coordinated attack that targeted police officers in Dallas, Texas.
One suspect, who was cornered by officers for several hours, was killed when police detonated a bomb near the suspect after negotiations broke down.
The attack was carried out during a protest against police shootings attended by about 800 people.
The protests were spurred by shooting deaths of two black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. Their deaths were captured on camera, reigniting criticism of police.
Here’s more from The Guardian’s Oliver Laughland:
Dallas police chief David Brown told reporters at an early morning news conference: “The suspect said he was upset about Black Lives Matter,” during negotiations. “He said he was upset about the recent shootings, he was upset at white people. The suspect said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers.”
“The suspect said that he was not affiliated with any groups and he stated that he did this alone. The suspect said other things that are part of this investigation,” Brown said.
A further three suspects are in police custody, but authorities declined to provide any further details.
Five police officers were killed and six injured as gunman opened fire on police from elevated positions during a protest in downtown Dallas. Two civilians were also injured.
The shooting marked the deadliest attack on law enforcement since 9/11 and threatened to inject yet more tension into the already divisive debate over racial disparities in US policing.”
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Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings also told reporters that an interfaith prayer vigil will be held at 1pm ET.
Police chief David Brown asked people to “pray” for the families who lost loved ones, including the five police officers shot and killed in the attack.
“Please, we need your support to be able to protect you from men like these, who carried out this tragic, tragic event. Pray for these families.
“I spoke with the families of the deceased and the injured. They are not having a good time trying to deal, absorb this, trying to understand why, and they need your prayers.”
2.23pm BST
14:23
Both Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and police chief David Brown emphasized that protests were peaceful, until the “ambush.”
Rawlings said that “we believe” in free speech. “These were peaceful protests”.
Brown said the shooter in En Centro told police he was not affiliated with any organization, and that he perpetrated the attack “alone”.
Brown went on to say that police officers protect democracy, called the ambush the work of a “coward”. Brown said Americans won’t alter the country’s democracy out of fear of these sorts of attacks.
“Our country is better than that.”
2.13pm BST
14:13
“All I know, is this must stop, this divisiveness between our police and our citizens,” said Dallas police chief David Brown.
Later in the press conference, Brown said, “We don’t feel much support most days. Let’s not make today most days.”
2.10pm BST
14:10
The mood of the press conference in Dallas was measured but somber. Dallas police chief David Brown told reporters:
“We’re hurting. Our profession is hurting. Dallas officers are hurting. We are heartbroken.”
He paused briefly, and told the media, “There are no words to describe the atrocity that occurred to our city.”
Bomb squad robot killed Dallas sniper who was motivated by shootings, targeted white cops https://t.co/m78edgz6UK pic.twitter.com/5fiIdtUyPt
2.04pm BST2.04pm BST
14:0414:04
Dallas officials said shooter wanted to 'kill officers'Dallas officials said shooter wanted to 'kill officers'
Officials in Dallas just held a press conference about the shooter with whom police were negotiating for hours. Here’s what they told reporters:Officials in Dallas just held a press conference about the shooter with whom police were negotiating for hours. Here’s what they told reporters:
1.57pm BST1.57pm BST
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Responding to a question about the shooter’s mental stability, Dallas police chief David Brown said:Responding to a question about the shooter’s mental stability, Dallas police chief David Brown said:
He wanted to kill officers, and he expressed killing white people. He expressed killing white officers. He expressed anger for Black Lives Matter.He wanted to kill officers, and he expressed killing white people. He expressed killing white officers. He expressed anger for Black Lives Matter.
None of that makes sense. None of that is a legitimate reason to do harm to anyone.None of that makes sense. None of that is a legitimate reason to do harm to anyone.
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1.51pm BST1.51pm BST
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Suspect told police he wanted to kill officers, 'white people'Suspect told police he wanted to kill officers, 'white people'
Police chief David Brown has said that the suspect who was shooting at police, and with whom police were negotiating, told police some of his motives.Police chief David Brown has said that the suspect who was shooting at police, and with whom police were negotiating, told police some of his motives.
In Dallas police chief David Brown’s words:In Dallas police chief David Brown’s words:
The suspect said he was upset about Black Lives Matter. He said he was upset about the recent police shootings. The suspect said he was upset at white people the suspect said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers.The suspect said he was upset about Black Lives Matter. He said he was upset about the recent police shootings. The suspect said he was upset at white people the suspect said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers.
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“We’re not going to tell you anything about the suspects and we’re not going to answer any question on that,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings.“We’re not going to tell you anything about the suspects and we’re not going to answer any question on that,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings.
1.46pm BST1.46pm BST
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Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings starts the press conference by saying little information about suspects will be released, and passes conference to police Chief David Brown.Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings starts the press conference by saying little information about suspects will be released, and passes conference to police Chief David Brown.
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The Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, has just started his news conference. We also expect an update from the city’s police chief.The Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, has just started his news conference. We also expect an update from the city’s police chief.
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The Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, is expected to begin a morning press conference at 8:30am ET.The Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, is expected to begin a morning press conference at 8:30am ET.
While we wait for updates from the mayor, Dallas Morning News columnist Jacquielynn Floyd has reacted to shootings that killed five police officers, calling the killings “terrorism”.While we wait for updates from the mayor, Dallas Morning News columnist Jacquielynn Floyd has reacted to shootings that killed five police officers, calling the killings “terrorism”.
Under the headline, “This is Dallas, this is our city, and we don’t let terrorism win,” she writes:Under the headline, “This is Dallas, this is our city, and we don’t let terrorism win,” she writes:
This is terrorism. This is what terrorists do.This is terrorism. This is what terrorists do.
It isn’t a war – not black against blue, or us against them. When a reported two gunmen opened fire Thursday night on police officers, on our police officers, they attacked us all ...It isn’t a war – not black against blue, or us against them. When a reported two gunmen opened fire Thursday night on police officers, on our police officers, they attacked us all ...
The peace was shattered by terrorism, a well-planned and barbaric attack on that peace. In purposely murdering police officers, these gunmen did not further any cause or make any kind of statement that civilized people can understand. They opened fire, literally, on human decency ...The peace was shattered by terrorism, a well-planned and barbaric attack on that peace. In purposely murdering police officers, these gunmen did not further any cause or make any kind of statement that civilized people can understand. They opened fire, literally, on human decency ...
No. It’s just terrible. It’s sickening, cowardly. It furthers no cause; it accomplishes nothing but misery and grief. It’s violence for the deranged love of violence itself, disguised beneath a political veneer.No. It’s just terrible. It’s sickening, cowardly. It furthers no cause; it accomplishes nothing but misery and grief. It’s violence for the deranged love of violence itself, disguised beneath a political veneer.
To employ a Texas colloquialism, it’s chickens**t with a gun.”To employ a Texas colloquialism, it’s chickens**t with a gun.”
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Mayor: shot heard after suspect taken out by explosiveMayor: shot heard after suspect taken out by explosive
Rawlings appeared to confirm that the suspect shot himself after being wounded by a police explosive.Rawlings appeared to confirm that the suspect shot himself after being wounded by a police explosive.
Speaking to CNN he said: “We were able to take out one of the suspects who had been corned in a garage, with an explosive device. We have got possible suspects that we are interviewing. They are not being real cooperative at this point.”Speaking to CNN he said: “We were able to take out one of the suspects who had been corned in a garage, with an explosive device. We have got possible suspects that we are interviewing. They are not being real cooperative at this point.”
Asked how the suspect was killed, Rawlings said: “There seemed to be gunshot some time after the explosion took place. We are going to have all that and make sure we have our I’s dotted and T’s crossed at our press conference this morning. We had a device that we robotically sent in – an explosive device. He was being very very bellicose and very saying he was going to take everybody out. He threatened other bombs. We felt that was the safest way to get him and it was.”Asked how the suspect was killed, Rawlings said: “There seemed to be gunshot some time after the explosion took place. We are going to have all that and make sure we have our I’s dotted and T’s crossed at our press conference this morning. We had a device that we robotically sent in – an explosive device. He was being very very bellicose and very saying he was going to take everybody out. He threatened other bombs. We felt that was the safest way to get him and it was.”
12.57pm BST12.57pm BST
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“We were very happy when we ware able to take this one suspect out,” Mayor Rawlings said.“We were very happy when we ware able to take this one suspect out,” Mayor Rawlings said.
12.56pm BST12.56pm BST
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Mayor Rawlings is on CNN. He confirms that a suspect was “taken out” by a police explosive device in the garage.Mayor Rawlings is on CNN. He confirms that a suspect was “taken out” by a police explosive device in the garage.
Rawlings said he could not disclose the race of the dead suspect. He confirmed that the female suspect is a “light skinned African American”.Rawlings said he could not disclose the race of the dead suspect. He confirmed that the female suspect is a “light skinned African American”.
12.49pm BST12.49pm BST
12:4912:49
Dallas Mayor: fourth suspect confirmed dead and 12 officers shotDallas Mayor: fourth suspect confirmed dead and 12 officers shot
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has confirmed that the fourth suspect in a standoff with police has died.Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has confirmed that the fourth suspect in a standoff with police has died.
Rawlings also said two civilians and 12 officers were shot, according to reports.Rawlings also said two civilians and 12 officers were shot, according to reports.
.@Mike_Rawlings says 2 female officers, 1 female bystander, among those shot. Those 3 survived; 5 others died. pic.twitter.com/KCQrUwrNYf.@Mike_Rawlings says 2 female officers, 1 female bystander, among those shot. Those 3 survived; 5 others died. pic.twitter.com/KCQrUwrNYf
BREAKING: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says the suspect in a standoff with police has died.BREAKING: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says the suspect in a standoff with police has died.
12.44pm BST12.44pm BST
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Trump responseTrump response
Donald Trump has released an uncharacteristically measured response to the attacks. He tweeted:Donald Trump has released an uncharacteristically measured response to the attacks. He tweeted:
Prayers and condolences to all of the families who are so thoroughly devastated by the horrors we are all watching take place in our countryPrayers and condolences to all of the families who are so thoroughly devastated by the horrors we are all watching take place in our country
The tweet is in marked contrast to his response to the Orlando mass shooting.The tweet is in marked contrast to his response to the Orlando mass shooting.
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