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| Dallas police shooting: five officers killed at protest against police violence | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The city of Dallas was plunged into chaos on Thursday night as five police officers were shot dead and at least six others were wounded when dozens of shots were fired during a downtown protest against violence. | |
| Dallas police chief David Brown said three suspects were custody and officers were continuing to negotiate with one suspect, believed to be one of the shooters, who was cornered on the second floor of a garage. He added that he did not have a “complete comfort level” that all suspects had been apprehended. | |
| Related: Dallas protest shooting: 11 police shot, four dead, as bomb claim investigated – live | Related: Dallas protest shooting: 11 police shot, four dead, as bomb claim investigated – live |
| Officers were continuing to exchange gunfire with the cornered suspect into the early hours of Friday, Brown said, telling reporters the suspected gunman had told officers: “The end is coming” and that “he’s going to hurt and kill more of us – meaning law enforcement.” | |
| A “suspicious package” was also found near the suspect, according to the department and the individual had told officers he had planted bombs “all over the place”. | |
| The anti-violence rally descended into chaos on Thursday night after what Brown described as “two snipers” shot at officers “from elevated positions”. Four officers were initially shot dead and several of the wounded were reported to be in surgery or a critical condition. Two later died, according to the Dallas police officers’ association. | |
| Brown said at a press conference that the snipers appeared to have positioned themselves on perches at downtown garages during an orchestrated attack and “planned to injure and kill as many law enforcement officers as they could”. | |
| As the siege situation emerged, Brown said the FBI and ATF had been asked to assist in investigating the suspect’s bomb threat. The Federal Aviation Authority [FAA] later issued a temporary flight restriction over downtown Dallas. | |
| The chief said that two other suspects were apprehended after officers followed their vehicle and recovered two camouflage bags. Another suspect, a female, was arrested close to the garage where the standoff was taking place. | |
| The department was investigating whether any of the suspects had prior knowledge of the protest’s planning. “We’re leaving every motive on the table,” Brown said. | |
| The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system announced on Twitter that four of its police officers had been struck, one fatally. The injuries to the other three officers were described as “not life-threatening”. | The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system announced on Twitter that four of its police officers had been struck, one fatally. The injuries to the other three officers were described as “not life-threatening”. |
| Dan Patrick, the lieutenant governor of Texas, said on Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the police officers who were shot in Dallas tonight.” | Dan Patrick, the lieutenant governor of Texas, said on Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the police officers who were shot in Dallas tonight.” |
| Speaking alongside the police chief at the press conference, Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings described the shootings as “our worst nightmare”. He added: “It is a heartbreaking moment for the city of Dallas.” | Speaking alongside the police chief at the press conference, Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings described the shootings as “our worst nightmare”. He added: “It is a heartbreaking moment for the city of Dallas.” |
| Texas governor Greg Abbott said in a statement that his “thoughts and prayers” were with the families of those officers who had been shot. “In times like these we must remember and emphasize – the importance of uniting as Americans.” | Texas governor Greg Abbott said in a statement that his “thoughts and prayers” were with the families of those officers who had been shot. “In times like these we must remember and emphasize – the importance of uniting as Americans.” |
| Protests had broken out around the US earlier in the evening over the fatal police shootings of two African American men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and Philando Castile, on Wednesday in Minneapolis. | Protests had broken out around the US earlier in the evening over the fatal police shootings of two African American men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and Philando Castile, on Wednesday in Minneapolis. |
| Related: Minnesota governor blames Philando Castile police killing on racial bias | Related: Minnesota governor blames Philando Castile police killing on racial bias |
| As large protests grew in cities such as New York City and Minneapolis, a similar demonstration in Dallas appeared to be proceeding peacefully and in good spirits. Police estimated that about 800 protesters and 100 officers were present. At 7:12pm local time, officers were posing for photographs with demonstrators. | As large protests grew in cities such as New York City and Minneapolis, a similar demonstration in Dallas appeared to be proceeding peacefully and in good spirits. Police estimated that about 800 protesters and 100 officers were present. At 7:12pm local time, officers were posing for photographs with demonstrators. |
| Police and witnesses said that at 8:58pm, however, shots rang out. | Police and witnesses said that at 8:58pm, however, shots rang out. |
| Video footage captured by local television cameras and witnesses on social media showed at least one officer on the ground. Protesters were seen fleeing through the streets of downtown Dallas screaming as multiple shots rang out in quick succession. | Video footage captured by local television cameras and witnesses on social media showed at least one officer on the ground. Protesters were seen fleeing through the streets of downtown Dallas screaming as multiple shots rang out in quick succession. |
| “Everyone just started running,” Devante Odom, 21, an eyewitness, told the Dallas Morning News . “We lost touch with two of our friends just trying to get out of there.” | “Everyone just started running,” Devante Odom, 21, an eyewitness, told the Dallas Morning News . “We lost touch with two of our friends just trying to get out of there.” |
| Graphic video appeared to show one gunman exchanging fire with a man who appeared to be a police officer. The gunman appears to hide behind a pillar outside a building and jump out behind the officer, gunning him down. | |
| The Dallas Area Rapid Transit suspended all bus and rail service in downtown. Streets appeared to have been cleared by officers and people ordered while officers searched for suspects. | The Dallas Area Rapid Transit suspended all bus and rail service in downtown. Streets appeared to have been cleared by officers and people ordered while officers searched for suspects. |
| The deaths of the officers were the first fatal shootings of law enforcement around demonstrations since unrest spread across the US after the fatal shooting by police of an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014. | The deaths of the officers were the first fatal shootings of law enforcement around demonstrations since unrest spread across the US after the fatal shooting by police of an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014. |
| Two officers were wounded by gunfire while guarding the Ferguson police headquarters during a protest in March last year. A 20-year-old man was charged with crimes including first-degree assault and has pleaded not guilty. | Two officers were wounded by gunfire while guarding the Ferguson police headquarters during a protest in March last year. A 20-year-old man was charged with crimes including first-degree assault and has pleaded not guilty. |
| In December 2014 two New York police officers were killed in an ambush-style attack by Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who then killed himself. Before the shooting Brinsley, who had mental health problems, had mentioned on social media high-profile cases of black men being killed by police. | In December 2014 two New York police officers were killed in an ambush-style attack by Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who then killed himself. Before the shooting Brinsley, who had mental health problems, had mentioned on social media high-profile cases of black men being killed by police. |