Five police officers killed In Dallas during protest
Shots ring out during a peaceful demonstration for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Update: It is now confirmed that five officers have been killed, two civilians were wounded and seven officers injured. According to reports, three suspects are in custody and one is dead. President Obama released a statement saying, “We still don’t know all the facts, we do know there’s been a vicious, calculated and despicable act on law enforcement. I believe I speak for every American when I say we are horrified.”
Update no. 2 The suspect who died in the shooting has been identified as Micah Johnson, according to The Associated Press. Johnson, 25, an African-American man, reportedly “expressed anger over recent killings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota,” per the AP.
A peaceful protest on behalf of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two black men fatally shot by authorities earlier this week, turned deadly when vigilant gunmen fired upon police resulting in four deaths.
According to an initial report from Dallas police, “two snipers shot ten police officers from elevated positions during the protest/rally. Three officers are deceased, two are in surgery and three are in critical condition.”
An update later confirmed that a fourth officer had died as a result of the shooting and an additional officer has been shot, bringing the total to 11.
The events took place near Dealey Plaza and reports suggest the crowd dispersed in droves once the gunfire erupted.
Many witnessed the events occur in real time by way of social media and reacted to the violence in a myriad of ways.
Check back with REVOLT.tv for more updates.