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.