Five Dallas police officers were killed by a lone attacker, authorities say

At least five Dallas police officers were killed and seven wounded July 7, after a peaceful protest over recent police shootings. Here's what we know so far. (Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post)

By Tim Madigan, William Wan and Mark Berman July 8 at 6:32 PM

DALLAS — Five Dallas police officers were killed and seven others wounded Thursday night when sniper fire from what turned out to be a lone gunman turned a peaceful protest over recent police shootings into a scene of chaos and terror.

The gunfire was followed by a standoff that lasted for hours with an attacker told authorities “he was upset about the recent police shootings” and “said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers,” according to Dallas Police Chief David Brown. The gunman was killed when police detonated a bomb-equipped robot.

After the bloodshed — the deadliest single day for law enforcement officers since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks — authorities said they were still working to investigate the shooting, saying they would need several days to continue exploring the crime scene downtown. Officials said two civilians were also injured in the attack.

“We are heartbroken,” Brown said during a news conference Friday. “There are no words to describe the atrocity that occurred to our city.”

While police had said Thursday they believed “two snipers” opened fire on officers “from elevated positions,” authorities said Friday that they determined only one person shot at police.

“At this time, there appears to have been one gunman with no known links to or inspiration from any international terrorist organization,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday afternoon.

The eruption of violence at around 9 p.m. occurred during a calm protest over recent police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana, with similar demonstrations occurring in cities across the country. As a barrage of gunfire ripped through the air, demonstrators and police officers alike scrambled.

[What we know about the attack on police in Dallas]

Videos shared on social media show the shooting in Dallas on July 7, which has left at least five police officers dead.(Gillian Brockell/The Washington Post)

In this video taken from a rooftop, an individual with an assault-style rifle shot a police officer in Dallas at point-blank range on Thursday night. (Editors note: This video contains graphic content) (Randy Biart)

Police said Friday that Micah Xavier Johnson, a black 25-year-old believed to be from the Dallas area, was the attacker.

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