Suspect identified in deadly
Dallas police shootings

By WFAA Staff | WFAA 8 ABC | July 8, 2016

Police officers take cover as they search for suspects in deadly shooting in downtown Dallas on July 7, 2016.The sniper who police say opened fire on a peaceful justice rally through downtown Dallas, targeting police officers and killing five, has been identified.

Fourteen people total were shot. Two were civilians. DPD has identified the suspect as Micah X. Johnson of Mesquite. The rally was part of a protest of officer-involved shootings taking place across the nation Thursday night.

The shots were fired as the march was moving down Lamar Street near Griffin before 9 p.m.

"We've got a criminal investigation going on and our number one job is to make sure the citizens of Dallas are safe," Mayor Rawlings said Friday morning.

Dominique Alexander with Next Generation Action Network, who helped organize the rally, said Friday that the group is devastated and the event was meant to be peaceful.

Suspect Wanted to Kill White Officers

Dallas Police Chief David Brown said Johnson was killed after a long standoff with police. Negotiations were underway when Brown says Johnson told police he was angry over #BlackLivesMatter and was mad at white people.

He wanted to kill white people, especially white officers, Brown said.

He also mentioned "the end was coming" and that he was "going to hurt and kill more" officers. He said bombs were planted all over the garage and downtown.

After negotiations went sour and gunfire was exchanged, Chief Brown says officers had to use a bomb robot to detonate the area around the suspect and kill him.

Five Officers Killed

A Police officer stands guard at a baracade following the sniper shooting in Dallas on July 7, 2016. A fifth police officer was killed and two suspected snipers were in custody after a protest late Thursday against police brutality in Dallas, authorities said. One suspect had turned himself in and another who was in a shootout with SWAT officers was also in custody, the Dallas Police Department tweeted.The Dallas Police Association announced the fifth officer had died at about 1:45 a.m. One DART officer and four Dallas police officers were killed.

The officers have been taken to Parkland Hospital and Baylor Medical Center.

It is the deadliest event for police officers in the United States since September 11, 2001.

"Our profession is hurting. Dallas officers are hurting. We are heartbroken," Chief Brown said in a Friday morning press conference.

"Please pray for our strength during this trying time," Chief Brown said.

He also applauded the "brave men and women who do this job under great scrutiny."

One bystander who is not a police officer, Shetamia Taylor, was also shot. She is expected to recover. Details about the other bystander have not been released.

Dart Officers Identified

DART Officer Brent Thompson was killed during an ambush in downtown Dallas.Brent Thompson, 43, has been identified by DART as its first officer killed in the line of duty. He had worked for DART since 2009. So far no other fallen officers have been officially identified.

DART says the three other officers injured are expected to recover. They have been identified as Officer Omar Cannon, 44, Officer Misty McBride, 32, and Officer Jesus Retana, 39.

"As you can imagine, our hearts are broken. This is something that touches every part of our organization. We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening. We are grateful for every message," Lyons said in a statement.

A Second Suspect

Police officers take cover as they search for suspects in deadly shooting in downtown Dallas on July 7, 2016.Mayor Rawlings reiterated Friday morning that a second suspect, a female, was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. She was reportedly in a shootout with Dallas SWAT officers near the garage at El Centro College.

A suspicious package was discovered near that suspect's location and the DPD bomb squad headed to the scene. No bombs were found.

Chief Brown also said the department would continue to search downtown throughout the night and into the morning until they are sure all suspects have been captured and they have determined there are no bombs.

Two Arrested After False Lead

Dallas police surround a vehicle on Interstate 35.Meanwhile an officer saw a man wearing camouflage and carrying a bag when he got into a Mercedes and sped off. He went up Interstate 35 before he was pulled over and surrounded by police.

Police questioned both occupants of the vehicle before releasing them. The driver told News 8's Demond Fernandez he was just picking up his brother from the bus station and the bag was his brother's luggage.

Earlier Thursday, Dallas police circulated a photo of what Chief Brown called a "person of interest" in the crime. They say that man, Mark Hughes, has since turned himself in and been released. Hughes and his attorney may speak about the situation later on Friday or in the coming days.

Witness Accounts

Dallas police officers scramble to respond after 11 officers were shot by a suspect or suspects on Thursday, July 7, 2016.An officer at the scene told News 8's Marie Saavedra the shooter had a rifle. She described several volleys of quick bursts of gunfire.

Another bystander, Richard Adams, said the protest was "a lovely, peaceful march," until they were walking down Commerce Street near the Bank of America building parking garage when he heard what sounded like "a bunch of firecrackers going off."