DALLAS: Thousands flock to emotional vigil for slain Texas police officers
THOUSANDS of Texans have flocked to a mass vigil to pay their respects to five police officers who were killed in the line of duty as a sniper raged through Dallas.
The shooting comes after two black Americans were shot by police in separate incidents
Americans of all ages and races have gathered together to call for peace in the wake of the horrific massacre of the five officers in attacks which left seven more injured.
Snipers operating from rooftops in Dallas shot the officers, targetting them "ambush style" during rallies to protest against the fatal police shooting of two black men this week.
A fugitive gunman, named as 25 year old Micah Johnson was blown up by a robotic explosive device during a standoff with SWAT teams in a garage.
Johnson was reported to be wearing tactical gear and a bullet proof vest and armed with a rifle.
The gunman told police he was not linked with any group and said he was angry about the recent shootings in the US and wanted to kill white police officers.
He had warned there were bombs scattered all over Dallas but police said after extensive searches no explosives have been found.
It was initially reported Johnson had shot himself.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown claimed the shooters “planned to injure and kill as many law enforcement officers as they could”.
Police said two shooters used sniper rifles to shoot 11 officers, and killing three, in what appeared to be a coordinated attack. Some of the victims were shot in the back.
Two more officers later died in the shooting which is the largest attack on police since 9/11.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown pauses at a prayer vigil following the deaths of five police officer
Thousands have flocked to Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas, to pay their respects
Dylan Martinez paid an emotional tribute to his step-brother Patrick Zamarripa
Shots were fired from “elevated positions” in downtown Dallas during the protest, with witnesses claiming as many as 20 shots could be heard before they were asked to leave the area.
Police chief David Brown said: “We’re hurting, our profession is hurting, Dallas officers are hurting.
“We are heartbroken. There are no words to describe the atrocity that occurred to our city.
“All I know is that this must stop. This divisiveness between our police and our citizens.
“We cornered one suspect and we tried to negotiate for several hours. Negotiations broke down and we had an exchange of gunfire with suspect.
“We saw no other option but to use our bomb robot and place a device on its extension for it to detonate where the suspect was.
“Other options would have exposed our officers to grave danger.
“The suspect is deceased as a result of detonating the bomb.
“Our hostage negotiator did an exceptional job getting this suspect to talk before he died, during the hours of negotiation.
“I want to share with you some of the comments from the suspect.
“He was upset about the recent police shooting. He said he was upset at white people, the suspect stated he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers
“He stated we will eventually find the IEDs.
“The suspect stated he was not affiliated with any groups and he stated that he did this alone.”
A bomb squad unit was investigating a suspicious package found near one of the suspect's locations.
The first police officer killed has been named as Brent Thompson
PHOTO: Police officers show respect to the fallen outside Parkland Hospital early Friday morning pic.twitter.com/ExyNtUmWM3
— WFAA-TV (@wfaachannel8) July 8, 2016
Donald Trump postponed his speech on the economy in Miami today in light of the shootings.
He released a statement a this morning, which said: "Last night’s horrific execution-style shootings of 12 Dallas law enforcement officers – five of whom were killed and seven wounded - is an attack on our country. It is a coordinated, premeditated assault on the men and women who keep us safe.
"We must restore law and order. We must restore the confidence of our people to be safe and secure in their homes and on the street.
"The senseless, tragic deaths of two people in Louisiana and Minnesota reminds us how much more needs to be done.
"This morning I offer my thoughts and prayers for all of the victims’ families, and we pray for our brave police officers and first responders who risk their lives to protect us every single day.
"Our nation has become too divided. Too many Americans feel like they’ve lost hope. Crime is harming too many citizens. Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better. This isn’t the American Dream we all want for our children.
"This is a time, perhaps more than ever, for strong leadership, love and compassion. We will pull through these tragedies."
Dallas Police escort residents away from the scene after snipers shot 11 officers
Police are currently taking part in an “intensive search” for more suspects
A police officer tries to calm protestors following the sniper shooting
Police are questioning the three people after pulling over a Mercedes that sped off down a downtown street with a man who threw a camouflaged bag inside the back of the car.
There are three people in custody, two from inside the Mercedes and another woman detained after a shootout with Dallas SWAT officers.
The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction over downtown Dallas after the shooting. Facebook also activated safety checks for its users.
Early on in the operation to stop the attack police released a photo of a man they said was person of interest – reportedly named as Mark Hughes – as he walked down the street carrying a rifle.
Dallas Shooting – Protesters run in fear
The gunman has told officers that the end is coming and he is going to hurt and kill more of us
Speaking during the siege, Police Chief Brown said: “They were working together with rifles, triangulating at elevated positions in different points in the downtown area where the march ended up going.”
“The gunman has told officers that the end is coming and he is going to hurt and kill more of us.
"He said there's bombs all over the place in the garage and downtown.
"We're being very careful in our tactics so we don't put any of our officers in harm's way.
"We still don't have a complete comfort level that we have all the suspects."
One witness claimed that the gunmen waited for the protest to march past before opening fire on officers.
***WARNING: Graphic content***
WARNING: Dallas police shooting - gunman shoots cops
It has been a devastating night. We are sad to report a fifth officer has died.
— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
Police released a photo of Mark Hughes, who has been released without charge, during the shooting
Mark Hughes expresses his anger as his photo is released after Dallas shootings
Police released a photo of a 'person of interest' named locally as Mark Hughes during the shooting.
After his photo was released by Dallas Police, Mr Hughes flagged down a police officer and was taken in for questioning.
He has been released without charge.
A man identifying himself as his brother claimed Hughes handed over his gun to officers when the attack began.
The shots were fired in downtown Dallas during the protest
Activists initially planned the rally after shooting of Mr Sterling
Describing the carnage, witness Devante Odom, 21, said: ”Everyone just started running."
"We lost touch with two of our friends just trying to get out of there."
Local resident Carlos Harris said the shots "were strategic".
He said: "It was tap tap pause. Tap tap pause."
Dallas police confirmed their fourth fatality, tweeting "with heavy hearts, we are devastated to report a fourth officer has been killed".
The first police officer killed has been named as Brent Thompson.
A second dead police officer was named on social media as Patrick Zamarripa.
Dallas shooting: Police standoff with shooter
Dallas Police Chief comments after shooting
His stepbrother Dylan Martinez, shared a picture of the officer with another man, thought to be his dad, with the caption: “No father should have to bury his son. You are a hero, Patrick. Love you man. #PrayForDallas”.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority has confirmed the names of three of the injured police officers.
They are Omar Cannon, Misty McBride and Jesus Retana and are expected to recover from their injuries.
Others remain in a serious condition.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said: "Our worst nightmare has happened.
"It is a heartbreaking morning to lose these four officers who served our citizens.”
Part of the city remains on lockdown and is expected to be sealed off for the rest of the day as police continue their investigation.
Thousands took to the streets across America to protest after two black Americans were shot dead by police in separate incidents that were caught on camera.
Dozens of protesters have been arrested in New York and roads have been blocked by marches in Chicago.
Street seller Alton Sterling, 37, was pinned to the ground and shot in the chest outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Thursday.
Philando Castile was shot four times the day before by an officer during a traffic stop as he sat in the front seat of a car.
The rally was planned as a peaceful protest in the memory of Mr Sterling in the wake of a string of high profile shootings of African Americans at the hand of the US police force.
Event organiser Rev Dr Jeff Hood said: “It is important to allow people to grieve first and foremost.
"Then we want to create a space for anger and rage so people can get that out."
The Washington Post said Castile was at least the 506th person and 123rd black American shot and killed by police so far in 2016, according to a database it has set up to track such deaths.
***WARNING: Videos below contain language some readers may find offensive***
Dallas Shooting
Witness captures Dallas police standoff
A crowd gathered in protest at the shooting of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile
President Obama said the shooting was "a vicious, calculated and despicable attack"
Mourners have gathered in Dallas to call for peace and honour the dead officers
Speaking from a NATO summit in Poland, President Obama branded the shooting a “vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement” and vowed “justice will be done”.
He said: “Police were on duty doing they jobs, keeping people safe during peaceful protests. These officers were targeted and nearly a dozen were shot, five were killed.
“Other officers and at least one civilian were wounded, some in a serious condition and we are praying for their recovery.
“We are horrified over these events, we stand united with the people and police department in Dallas.
“Lets be clear there is no possible justification for these attacks or any violence towards law enforcement.
“Justice will be done.”
Investigators have also determined that the Dallas shooter did not have any connection to terrorist organisations.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said: "It is my understanding that investigators have now publicly ruled out the possibility that the individual who carried out this terrible act of violence had any sort of connections to terrorist organizations either in the United States or around the world.
"I don't think that there's a link to any sort of terrorist conspiracy.”
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