[*Editors Note: This post has been repeatedly updated to reflect the most current information available regarding the ambush shooting in downtown Dallas on July 7, 2016. The story reflects the chronological nature of reports, with addendums noted as they were known.]
Emerging reports indicate two police officers were killed and at least seven more wounded in Dallas on Thursday night after chaos erupted when a ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest was fired upon by two assailants believed to have been wielding sniper rifles.
.@DPDChief states 2 snipers responsible for shooting 10 Dallas officers tonight, three of whom are deceased. No suspects in custody.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
NEW: @DPDChief confirms 10 officers shot, three dead, two in surgery, three in critical condition. No suspects in custody.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
UPDATE: Many shots are heard in the distance as active shooter opens fire at #Dallas protest https://t.co/ckA8up78MXhttps://t.co/vhPYYSfdqJ
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 8, 2016
The protest was being held in the wake of the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philado Castile, both black men killed at the hands of police in the past 36 hours, when shots rang out and sent the crowds fleeing in panic.
https://twitter.com/AndyCole84/status/751245901977440257
Officers instantaneously responded and engaged the gunfire, which is believed to have come from a parking garage in the vicinity of the protest.
https://twitter.com/gjmccarthy/status/751236629117870082
https://twitter.com/gjmccarthy/status/751235829327015937
https://twitter.com/WhoAteMyPizza/status/751234410918219776
As of now, reports are still varied about how many shots were fired, as the scene was nothing short of chaos when EMTs arrived.
https://twitter.com/pzf/status/751237559913701376
One witness reports hearing up to as many as 200 rounds, while other reports claim less.
https://twitter.com/WhoAteMyPizza/status/751234407265021952
My brother in West End says he heard 50 gunshots. Someone he's with says DPD officers carried officer to ambulance. pic.twitter.com/15FOslzAKk
— Allison Harris (@allison__news) July 8, 2016
A very graphic video captured by Fox News appears to show a police officer lying motionless in the shadow of a patrol car in the middle of a street. Please note the immensely graphic and disturbing nature of it if you so choose to watch.
https://twitter.com/OldRowSwig/status/751235030261723136
Just talked to man at apartment in West End who says he saw four DPD officers carrying an officer, putting officer into an ambulance.
— Allison Harris (@allison__news) July 8, 2016
Wounded officers have been transported to Baylor’s medical center, and both shooters are still believed to be on the loose.
Crime scene tape up at Baylor, multiple police units here @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/zV6NgUDbDb
— Lynnanne Nguyen (@LynnanneNguyen) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/DianaZogaFox4/status/751244944136892416
UPDATE 11:52pm EST: A picture shows Dallas PD arresting one individual near the crime scene, although any connection remains unknown.
Dallas Police arresting man near Main & Murphy in downtown Dallas. pic.twitter.com/234fDCe5JC
— Allison Harris (@allison__news) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 11:56pm EST: Dallas PD’s Chief offered this statement about the ongoing situation.
UPDATE: Statement from Chief Brown on downtown shooting..2 snipers shot 10 officers..3 officers deceased. @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/Aaobqclwse
— Brandon Todd (@BrandonToddFOX4) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 11:58pm EST: The picture below is believed to be one of the suspects, still on the run. Tragically, the number of officers shot has risen to 11.
https://twitter.com/DallasPD/status/751262719584575488
NEW: @DallasPD confirms 11th officer shot tonight in downtown @DallasShooting. One officer shot exchaning gunfire with a suspected shooter.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 12:11am EST: It now sounds as if officers have one of the suspects cornered. Additionally, the area is being scoured for any trace of bombs or explosive devices as a precaution, after one of the suspects reportedly levied the potential threat.
https://twitter.com/polly/status/751265714456100864
https://twitter.com/DianaZogaFox4/status/751267184446283776
ATF and FBI are on the scene as the search is on for a possible bomb downtown #Dallas. #NBCDFW
— Brian Dorman 💙 (@BDormanTV) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 12:16am EST: A fourth officer has tragically been confirmed dead.
BREAKING: @DallasPD confirms fourth officer has died in #DallasShooting https://t.co/pBdHa8nFqM
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 12:24am EST: Reports are indicating the brother of the armed man in the earlier picture circulated by Dallas PD in maintaining his innocence. This is also being corroborated by a number of videos taken after the shots rang out.
#UPDATE This man's brother tells NBC 5 his brother had nothing to do with the shooting https://t.co/5Ln2cVoI3p pic.twitter.com/He0tbZzndx
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) July 8, 2016
Guy in camo with gun is seen in this video after the #Dallas shooting. He shouldn't be a person of interest https://t.co/gINDm3NlKl
— Auntie JAME (@jamizfoshiz) 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
— Saddy Yankee 🇵🇸 (@WeirdHonie) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 12:31am EST: Dallas PD provided another statement indicating the person of interest had turned himself in, and that one suspect is in custody.
Update: pic.twitter.com/qBJe3q0EtN
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 1:14am EST: Dallas PD has pulled over a Mercedes seen leaving the scene at a high rate of speed, after witnessing a man throw a camouflage bag into the back of the car. Police are due to give another press conference at 1:30am EST
Update: pic.twitter.com/ukWSZJeZo3
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
#Breaking #Dallas police have stopped a car seen leaving the shooting scene. Latest @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/u8OBkCQhja
— FOX4Terry (@FOX4Terry) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 1:45am EST: It appears three suspects are now in police custody, as police continue to have a standoff with a fourth suspect in a garage at nearby El Centro College. Reports indicate the three suspects so far – two men and a woman – have not been cooperative with authorities.
NEW: @DallasPD: Suspect in El Centro College garage standoff told police "the end is coming" and claims there are bombs planted downtown.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
NEW: DPD: in active negotiations with suspect in 2nd garage in El Centro College garage. Gunfire has been exchanged.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
Dallas Chief David Brown: Believes 4 suspects all connected. Woman, two people pulled over on I-35, and man in armed standoff.
— Steve Eagar (@steveeagar) July 8, 2016
Dallas Police David Brown: Not comfortable we have all suspects.
— Steve Eagar (@steveeagar) July 8, 2016
An additional report confirms one civilian was also wounded.
Family of civilian Shetamia Taylor says she was shot in the leg, attended protest with her 4 boys. #DallasShooting pic.twitter.com/fGXoHLsy1W
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 2:48am EST: Another Dallas PD officer has been confirmed dead as the standoff is still ongoing.
#BREAKING ~ A fourth Dallas PD officer has died after Thursday night's shooting in downtown. Total of 5 officers now dead.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) July 8, 2016
A 5th Officer has died. 4 Dallas Police Officers and 1 Dart Police Officers are deceased.
— Clarice Tinsley (@ClariceFox4) July 8, 2016
UPDATE 12:42pm EST: Dallas PD has now confirmed the believe it was a single perpetrator responsible for the shootings, and he was killed by a robotic explosive device in the parking garage at El Centro College, where he was holed up following the ambush.
"Saw no other option." Dallas Police Chief David Brown confirms police used a bomb robot where the suspect was. pic.twitter.com/Fwzcxi2Gqj
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 8, 2016
Reportedly, but unconfirmed by police, the deceased suspect is 25-year-old Micah Xavier Johnson, a resident of Mesquite, Texas,
PICTURED: #Dallas shooter 25-year-old Micah Xavier Johnson https://t.co/Salaq2SEKZ pic.twitter.com/75UPjidqWY
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) July 8, 2016
Police identify slain #Dallas suspect as Micah Xavier Johnson https://t.co/PT7lApu6kE pic.twitter.com/MpogzNoPLi
— Raw Story (@RawStory) July 8, 2016
Sources indicate Johnson was part of the U.S. Army reserve, and one report indicates he frequently took target practice at an informal gun range.
BREAKING: Suspected Dallas shooter Micah Xavier Johnson was a member of U.S. Amy Reserve – government source
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 8, 2016
Investigators believe the Dallas gunman belonged to an informal gun club and took copious amounts of target practice https://t.co/wNOo9HRjAR
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 8, 2016
Additionally, another civilian is known to be wounded at this time, bringing the casualty count to 14. Four Dallas Police officers and one DART (transit) officer were killed, while another seven were wounded.
An immensely graphic video shot from a rooftop adjacent to the scene shows the shooter in action, employing what looks to be trained military tactics, shooting a police officer from behind after shooting a wall to distract is his attention.
Please note the graphic and disturbing nature of the footage should you choose to watch.
VIDEO: Dramatic footage shows a gun battle between one police officer and a gunman in #Dallas. https://t.co/WE2UtPITWb
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 8, 2016
We’ll continue to update this story as more details emerge. A stream of Dallas PD’s press conferences can be found in the link below.
.@DallasPD to hold press conference @10:45 after 10 officers shot, @FOX4 will stream it live https://t.co/4Ge0C9xmV0 pic.twitter.com/TdabIST1Qq
— Lynnanne Nguyen (@LynnanneNguyen) July 8, 2016