As of midnight Thursday, four (update: five) police officers had been killed by gunfire at a downtown protest march, according to Dallas Police Chief David Brown. Ten officers were shot from above, while another was reportedly shot in a confrontation with one of the suspects. A citizen is believed to have been injured in the shooting as well.
With heavy hearts, we are devastated to report a fourth officer has been killed.
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
Two suspects are being sought, including one man whose photo was released by police. (Update: Three suspects are in custody and one died after a standoff with police).
https://twitter.com/DallasPD/status/751262719584575488
https://twitter.com/dallasnews/status/751266349045866496
Brown also believes the suspects in the sniper-style shooting had threatened to plant a bomb in downtown Dallas.
Police Chief Brown: "We believe these suspects have threatened to plant a bomb in the downtown area" pic.twitter.com/FcduU3Nkcl
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) July 8, 2016
4 Dallas cops shot & killed, at least 7 more wounded as snipers open fire during protest-Dallas PD says suspects threatened to plant a bomb
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) July 8, 2016
Dallas Police Chief says David Brown says suspects have apparently threatened to leave a bomb downtown.
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) July 8, 2016
Dallas police chief: The snipers have "threatened to plant a bomb" in downtown Dallas.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 8, 2016
Dallas Police: 11 officers shot. 4 dead. Suspects may have planted bomb in downtown. #Pray
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) July 8, 2016
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Although this is unconfirmed detective work by those on social media, many tweeters are circulating a video shot by the Dallas Morning News which appears to show the suspect marching peacefully among the protesters as the first shots were fired from elsewhere. Again, this is unconfirmed by law enforcement, but it’s well worth a look.
Shots fired at #blacklivesmattertx March @dallasnews pic.twitter.com/2TqIQgkXVm
— The Dallas Morning News Photo/Video (@dallasnewsphoto) July 8, 2016
Looks as if the “suspect” whose photo was released was doing nothing wrong. Here he is, peacefully open carrying. https://t.co/ahDp9J29wp
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) July 8, 2016
Man tells CBS Dallas person of interest in photo is brother Mark Hughes; handed weapon to cops when shooting broke out; isn't the shooter
— Dennis Romero (@dennisjromero) July 8, 2016
CBS DFW TV interviews someone claims to be brother of man in photo; says gun was not loaded, was handed over to cop after shooting started.
— ?.?. ?????? (@intelwire) July 8, 2016
Organizer of protest says the man police call a suspect is his brother and says his brother didn't shoot anyone. pic.twitter.com/NJ5eFLrD7X
— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) July 8, 2016
YOU GUYS THE BLACK MAN THEYRE CLAIMING IS A SUSPECT IS INNOCENT HE WAS MARCHING BEHIND ME THE ENTIRE TIME pic.twitter.com/yAAvQugKpa
— art school dropout? (@WeirdHonie) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/FeedNewsLive/status/751274435739414529
The police say that the person of interest in the photo turned himself in, and that the man involved in a shootout with police is in custody.
Update: pic.twitter.com/qBJe3q0EtN
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
Just for posterity, here are tweets from Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, music producer Diplo, and actor Wil Wheaton that taken together sum up the sentiment of much of America on the day of the Dallas shootings.
These tragedies must lead to action. We join the voices demanding racial justice now. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile
— Twitter (@Twitter) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/diplo/status/751234973106053124
Fuck the NRA.
— Wil 'this account mocks fascists' Wheaton (@wilw) July 8, 2016
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