5 Police Officers Killed in Dallas Sniper Attack

Update: Dallas Gunman Planned for Larger Targets

Seven other officers were injured in an attack that marks the deadliest incident for law enforcement since September 11, 2001

[Updated July 12, 2016 8:45 AM] 

The gunman who killed five police officers in Dallas was plotting larger attacks, according Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

"We're convinced that this suspect had other plans and thought that what he was doing was righteous and believed that he was going to target law enforcement -- make us pay for what he sees as law enforcement's efforts to punish people of color," Brown said.

Dallas police identified the shooter as Micah Xavier Johnson. Upon identification of the gunman, police obtained a warrant to search his home. There, police found bomb-making materials and a journal that suggested he'd been practicing detonations and appeared ready to take aim at larger targets.

Police have also released information regarding the parking structure in which the gunman was cornered and eventually killed by a bomb detonated by a robot. At the scene, he wrote the initials "RB" in blood on the wall.

As the investigation continues citizens of Dallas join President Barack Obama and George W. Bush at a memorial for the police fallen in the tragic event on Tuesday, July 12 where Obama is expected to speak on gun violence around the country.

[Updated July 8, 2016 10:55 AM]

Police departments are reacting to the events in Dallas by increasing security, according to reports.

The New York Police Department has increased security at precincts across the city and has asked that patrolling be done in pairs.

 Philadelphia police have also instituted a two-person patrol policy, rather than the usual single-person patorls.

 "Our profession is hurting," Dallas Police Commissioner David Brown told reporters. "This must stop, this divisiveness between our police and our citizens."

Original story below.

According to multiple reports, five police officers were killed and seven others injured in an ambush in Dallas Thursday night shortly after protests were carried out around the country for the recent killings of two African American men by police.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown said in a press conference that most of the injured officers have been released from the hospital.

"All I know is that this must stop -- this divisiveness between our police and our citizens," Brown said. "We don't feel much support most days. Let's not make today most days. Please, we need your support to be able to protect you from men like these, who carried out this tragic, tragic event."

Authorities say three people are in custody, while one suspect is dead after police detonated a bomb near him. Dallas police say the suspect wanted to specifically target white police officers, and that he was “upset about the recent police shootings.”

The shooting was the deadliest incident for U.S. law enforcement since September 11, 2001.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities