In Dallas, a U.S. Army Reservist plotted and planned the barbaric assassination of police officers following a protest against police. It is the deadliest single attack on American law enforcement since 9/11.
Gunfire rang out, not far from where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, following what had been a peaceful march against the shooting deaths of two African-American men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota. About 800 protesters had finished their march when at least two snipers began shooting at police.
The suspect, who told officers he wanted to “kill white people” was killed after a three hour standoff with police.
“We believe that these suspects were positioning themselves in a way to triangulate on these officers from two different perches and garages in the downtown area and planned to injure and kill as many law enforcement officers as they could,” said Dallas Police Chief David Brown.
President Obama, traveling in Poland, said while the facts are still being gathered, “What we do know is there has been a vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement. Police in Dallas were on duty doing their jobs, keeping people safe, during peaceful protests. We are horrified over these events and we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas.”
A total of 11 officers were shot, five were killed and three remain in critical condition.