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Five Dallas police officers shot dead at anti-violence protest Five Dallas police officers shot dead at anti-violence protest
(35 minutes later)
The city of Dallas was plunged into chaos overnight 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. The city of Dallas was plunged into chaos overnight as five police officers were shot dead and at least six others were wounded when dozens of shots were fired during an anti-violence protest.
It was the deadliest day for law enforcement in the US since 9/11.
One suspect, believed to be one of the shooters, was killed after a protracted standoff in a parking garage in which heavy gunfire was exchanged between the man and police officers. A further three suspects are in police custody.
Related: Dallas protest shooting: 11 police shot, four dead, as bomb claim investigated – liveRelated: Dallas protest shooting: 11 police shot, four dead, as bomb claim investigated – live
It was the deadliest day for US law enforcement since 9/11. There was a lengthy standoff between police officers and one man suspected to be one of the shooters, before, according to numerous local reports, he was shot dead. It was unclear whether the suspect was shot by police or killed himself. The Guardian was unable to confirm the reports. As the Texan city reeled from the bloody assault, much of which was caught on smartphones, officers swept the streets for explosives after the now-dead suspect warned bombs had been hidden “all over the place”. However, a senior officer later confirmed no devices were found.
Three other suspects were in custody. Two of the dead officers have been named as Brent Thompson, 43, a Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dart) officer, and Patrick Zamarripa. Six officers were also injured in the shooting, with some in a serious condition, while one civilian was also wounded.
The Dallas police chief, David Brown, said he did not have a “complete comfort level” that all suspects had been apprehended.
The suspect involved in the standoff had warned that bombs had been planted across the city and a “suspicious package” was also found near his location. Police are now sweeping the city for hidden explosive devices with the help of other authorities including the FBI.
Speaking from Warsaw, Poland, President Barack Obama said the attack was “a vicious, calculated and despicable”.
“I believe I speak for every single American when I say we are horrified over these events and we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas,” he said. “According to police there are multiple suspects, we will learn more about their twisted motivations but let’s be clear there is no possible justification for these kind of attacks or any violence against law enforcement.”
Obama said those behind the “senseless murders” would be held accountable.
“Our police have an extraordinarily difficult job and the vast majority of them do their job in outstanding fashion,” he said. “Today is a wrenching reminder of the sacrifices that they make for us. We also know when people are armed with powerful weapons it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic.”
Officers exchanged gunfire with the trapped shooter 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”.
One of the officers killed was named as Brent Thompson, a Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dart) officer, aged 43. Dart said he was the first of their officers to have been killed in the line of duty.
DART grieving the loss of Ofc Brent Thompson, 43, killed during Thurs protest. First DART officer killed in line of duty. Joined DART 2009.DART grieving the loss of Ofc Brent Thompson, 43, killed during Thurs protest. First DART officer killed in line of duty. Joined DART 2009.
The anti-violence rally descended into chaos after what Brown described as “two snipers” shot at officers “from elevated positions”. Four officers were initially reported shot dead and several of the wounded were said to be in surgery or a critical condition. One later died, according to the Dallas police officers’ association. The anti-violence rally was one of a number being held across the US in the wake of the fatal police shootings of two African American men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and Philando Castile on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
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”. President Barack Obama called the assault a “vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement” and warned the shooters would be held accountable for the “senseless murders”.
Police estimated that about 800 protesters and 100 officers were present at the rally. At 7.12pm local time, officers were posing for photographs with demonstrators.
Brown said the FBI and ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) had been asked to assist in investigating the bomb threat. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) later issued a temporary flight restriction over downtown Dallas. However, police and witnesses said that at 8:58pm shots rang out and the protest descended into chaos. The Dallas police chief, David Brown, said two snipers shot at officers “from elevated positions”.
The police chief said two 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. Video footage caught by local broadcast media and protesters showed the crowd running and screaming once the rapid succession of gunfire broke out. One clip showed an injured officer lying in the street, while another captured one of the shooters opening fire from behind a large pillar.
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. “Everyone just started running,” Devante Odom, 21, told the Dallas Morning News. “We lost touch with two of our friends just trying to get out of there.”
Dart 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”. Shetamia Taylor, a civilian who was attending the protest with her sons, was shot in the leg but her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
Brown said officers exchanged gunfire with the trapped gunman into the early hours of Friday, telling reporters the suspect had told officers “the end is coming” and that “he’s going to hurt and kill more of us – meaning law enforcement”.
He 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”.
The police chief said the FBI and ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) had been asked to assist in investigating the bomb threat. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) later issued a temporary flight restriction over downtown Dallas.
Brown said two 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.
It has been a devastating night. We are sad to report a fifth officer has died.It has been a devastating night. We are sad to report a fifth officer has died.
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.” 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 suspect who died was cornered at a parking garage near El Centro college. It is not clear whether he was shot by officers or died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Speaking from Warsaw, Poland, Obama said: “I believe I speak for every single American when I say we are horrified over these events and we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas,” he said. “According to police there are multiple suspects, we will learn more about their twisted motivations but let’s be clear there is no possible justification for these kind of attacks or any violence against law enforcement.”
Related: Minnesota governor blames Philando Castile police killing on racial bias
He added: “Our police have an extraordinarily difficult job and the vast majority of them do their job in outstanding fashion,” he said. “Today is a wrenching reminder of the sacrifices that they make for us. We also know when people are armed with powerful weapons it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic.”
Speaking alongside the police chief at the press conference, the 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, the Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, described the shootings as “our worst nightmare”. He added: “It is a heartbreaking moment for the city of Dallas.”
The 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.”The 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.”
Related: Minnesota governor blames Philando Castile police killing on racial bias Seventy-two law enforcement officers died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001.
Protests had taken place around the US earlier on Thursday evening after the fatal police shootings of two African American men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and Philando Castile on Wednesday in Minneapolis. The deaths of the officers were the first fatal shootings of police at demonstrations since unrest spread across the US after police shot dead an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014.
As large protests grew in cities including New York 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. However, police and witnesses said that at 8:58pm 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.
“Everyone just started running,” Devante Odom, 21, 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.
Dart suspended all downtown bus and rail service. Streets appeared to have been cleared by officers while they searched for suspects.
The deaths of the officers were the first fatal shootings of police at demonstrations since unrest spread across the US after police shot dead 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.