Dallas shooting leaves nation reeling: ‘Our hearts are broken’

Details about the “ambush style” attack continued to be released on Friday. The suspected gunman has been named by law enforcement officials as 25-year-old Texas resident Micah Xavier Johnson. He was a member of the US army and had no known criminal history or links to terror groups, according to government sources. He was killed by authorities after lengthy negotiations broke down in a parking garage in the early hours of Friday morning.

The sniper ambush occurred at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas on Thursday night following the death of two black men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, by police earlier this week.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown said Johnson told officers he was upset about the recent high-profile shootings and “wanted to kill white people. Especially white officers”. He told police he was “not affiliated with any groups,” and “stated that he did this alone,” Brown said.

After exchanging gunfire with Johnson, police “saw no other option” but to kill himby detonating a remote-controlled bomb, the city’s police chief said.

“Other options would have exposed our officers to grave danger,” he added.

Officials said Friday that due to the ongoing criminal investigation, they would not release information about suspects. Three people were taken into custody — including one woman — prior to Johnson being killed but it was unclear whether authorities still considered all of them suspects.

Brown blamed “snipers,” but said it is uncertain how many shooters were involved in the “well-planned” attack.

Earlier, they said there had been at least two snipers positioned in garages downtown who fired at the officers in an “ambush-style” shooting.

Pictures have emerged of the deceased Dallas suspect, who served a tour of duty in Afghanistan from November 2013 to July 2014 and received several awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NBC News reports.

He lived in Mesquite near Dallas with his mother and “keeps to himself,” a neighbour told CNN.

According to a Dallas Police Department report, detectives searched Johnson’s home and found: “bomb making materials, ballistic vests, rifles, ammunition, and a personal journal of combat tactics”.

A black SUV was found at the scene registered to Delphene Johnson, who is believed to be Johnson’s mother, according to media reports.

Three police officers killed in the horrific attack have now been named for the first time. Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa and Michael Krol were gunned down while patrolling the peaceful demonstration.

Mr Zamarripa’s father Rick Zamarripa said: “Most of you already know this by now. Today in Dallas, my son is a police officer in Dallas, he was working there at the rally in downtown where my son was shot and killed by a sniper along with four other police officers maybe more at this moment.

“I’m still at the hospital here in Parkland Hospital to see him be moved to the medical examiner’s office — need prayers to get through this.”

Rick Zamarripa said his son, a Mexican-American, served three combat tours in Iraq.

“He comes to the United States to protect people here,” his father told theWashington Post, “and they take his life”.

43-year-old Brent Thompson, a transport officer, was the first officer to be killed in the line of duty since Dallas Area Rapid Transport (DART) formed a police department in 1989.

Former Wayne County sheriff’s deputy Michael Krol, who worked in Wayne County jails from 2003 to 2007, was also killed.

“We are saddened by the loss of the dedicated officers in Dallas — one of whom was a former member of this agency — and also the wounding of the other officers,” Sheriff Benny Napoleon said in a statement. “Those officers made the ultimate sacrifice and died honouring their oaths to protect and serve. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and also the Dallas Police Department.”

Three injured officers have been named as 44-year-old Omar Cannon, 39-year-old Jesus Retana and 32-year-old Misty McBride, who was shot in the arm and once in the stomach.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings confirmed a total of 12 officers and two members of the public were shot.

Investigators are still scrambling to answer key questions, including whether anyone else was involved in the shootings, which sent screaming crowds scrambling for cover and left parts of downtown Dallas under siege for hours.

While the gunman claimed he acted alone, Chief Brown said “we’re not satisfied that we’ve exhausted every lead”.

Officials condemned the fatal shootings on Friday.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch called the attack an “unfathomable tragedy.” During an address to the nation, Lynch assured that the Department of Justice was “on the scene” working closely with state and local counterparts to assist with the investigation.

“This has been a week of profound grief and heartbreaking loss,” the attorney general said, begging Americans not to resort to violence.

“To all Americans, I ask you, I implore you, do not let this week precipitate a new normal in this country.

“Let us support one another. Let us help heal one another.”

Speaking from the start of a NATO summit in Europe, President Obama called it a “vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement”.

“I believe I speak for every single American when I say that we are horrified and we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas,” he said.

At an interfaith prayer vigil in downtown Dallas on Friday, Police Chief Brown called the shootings a “well-thought-out evil tragedy,” saying his force “won’t rest until we bring everyone involved to justice”.

Morgan Lyons, a spokesman for DART, said: “As you can imagine, our hearts are broken.

“This is something that touches every part of our organisation.

“We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening.

“We are grateful for every message. Thank you.”