A Black Lives Matter protest turned fatal when police officers and one civilian were shot by suspected snipers.
According to the Huffington Post, the incident happened Thursday evening (June 7) around 9 p.m. (10 p.m. ET), just an hour after the protest for the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile began. Rev. Jeff Hood, an organizer of the rally, told reporters he was with an officer in front of the protest when he heard at least six to eight gunshots from a parking garage.
Four officers have died from their injuries with the aftermath being shown on local channels during live coverage of the protest. Other videos show the sheer panic of protestors and police officers alike when the shooting began.
This is a little bit cleaner clip. Shots fired at the #blacklivesmatter protest. pic.twitter.com/DAJVkCll32
— G.J. McCarthy (@gjmccarthy) July 8, 2016
I am so scared. pic.twitter.com/jw88QnKGXG
— Allison (@allisongriz) July 8, 2016
@PhilipTKingston terrible news. We’re praying for Dallas and stand with you and your district.
— Jeffrey Chesnut (@JeffreyHChesnut) July 8, 2016
At least 11 police officers were shot with three in critical condition and two in surgery. Dallas Police Chief David Brow said two snipers shot from elevated positions. Three of the victims were from the Dallas police department and the other, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).
Police have suspected a man wearing a camouflage shirt to be a person of interest, but many believe the report to be untrue due to the man being in the crowd at the time of the protest.
SHOOTING SUSPECT: Dallas PD is looking for this man in connection with shooting of 10 police officers at march. pic.twitter.com/x9H1nRRBMe
— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) July 8, 2016
@RealLifeKaz @_Jutty_ look at him in the middle of the protest. pic.twitter.com/lGMd1c2qw0
— mo ß. (@theintlfiles) July 8, 2016
According to Dallas News, protesters claimed the police were peaceful and even took photos with them during the protest.
SWAT vehicles have arrived on the scene with no suspects in police custody.
This is a developing story…
UPDATE: 07/08/2016 12:37 A.M.
Two suspects including the man who’s picture floated around the web are now in police custody.
BREAKING: Police: Suspect in shooting of officers at Dallas protests in custody; person of interest surrendered.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 8, 2016
@ABC Alleged suspect doing nothing while shooting happening @dallasnews pic.twitter.com/l6Fvj66SNs
— Panini (@panininef) July 8, 2016
UPDATE: 07/08/2016 9:40 A.M.
A suspect in the Dallas shootings was killed by police when he was cornered into a parking garage at El Centro Community College. The gunman reportedly told a hostage negotiator he wasn’t affiliated with Black Lives Matter or any other groups. “The suspect stated he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers,” police chief David Brown told NBC News. He also mentioned he acted alone.
The man who was falsely accused of the shootings was identified as Mark Hughes. He was released from police custody after many people, including his brother provided proof he was with fellow protestors when the shooting occurred.
Before he was killed by police, the unidentified suspect claimed there were bombs “all over the place in this garage and downtown,” and noted that the end was coming. Police were unable to find any signs of bombs. Three other suspects were also taken in for questioning.