5 Dallas police shot dead and 6 others wounded during protest over fatal police shootings of black men

US: At least five police officers have been shot dead and six others wounded as snipers opens fire on police officers during a protest over the recent fatal killings of black men in the United States on Thursday.
Protests were held in several cities across the US on Thursday night after a police officer in Minnesota fatally shot Philando Castile while he was in a car with his girlfriend and his 4 year old daughter on Wednesday, a shooting that was streamed live in a widely viewed Facebook video, just a day after another black man Alton Sterling was shot in Louisiana after being pinned to the ground by two white cops which was also captured on a cellphone.

Shots erupted as protesters were seen marching along a street in downtown, about half a mile from City Hall, when the crowd broke up, seeking for safety.

The gun battle broke out on Thursday around 8:45 p.m. as hundreds of people gathered to protest the fatal killing of black men by police during the week in Louisiana, and Minnesota.
In a Tweet by the Dallas Police Department, at 2 a.m. it said:

"It has been a devastating night. We are sad to report a fifth officer has died."  

Dallas police Chief David Brown said early Friday morning that;

''three people are in custody and a fourth suspect was earlier exchanging gunfire with authorities in a parking garage downtown''

According to Brown, the suspect told officials there were;

“bombs all over the place in this garage and downtown,” and “told our negotiators that the end is coming, and he’s going to hurt and kill more of us.”

Brown told reporters that snipers fired "ambush style" upon the officers.
Mayor Mike Rawlings said one member of the public was wounded in the gunfire.

Dallas city spokeswoman Sana Syed confirmed that the standoff ended at about 2:30 a.m. adding that three officers remained in critical condition.

A suspect who was earlier arrested after his photo has been broadcasted was released from custody at 1 a.m.


According to Brown,

 ''it appeared the shooters planned to injure and kill as many officers as they could."

The wounded police officers were taken to Parkland Hospital.

21 year old Devante Odom said; 

"Everyone just started running,"  "We lost touch with two of our friends just trying to get out of there."

Brown said, one woman was taken into custody in the same parking garage where the standoff was ongoing, with two others taken into custody during a traffic stop.

Brown added that the police don't have a clue for the attacks or any information on the suspects. He said they "triangulated" in the downtown area where the protesters were marching and had "some knowledge of the route" they would take.

Authorities have not confirmed if any protesters were involved in the attack and were not sure as of early Friday if all suspects have been found, Brown said.

Dallas Mayor, Rawlings said authorities might likely ask some people to stay away from downtown Dallas on Friday.

"This is still an active crime scene. We're determining how big that crime scene is," adding that a map will be shared online showing an area where people should avoid on Friday, he said.

Theresa Williams said the injured civilian was her sister, 37-year-old Shetamia Taylor who was present at the protests on Thursday night with her four sons, between the ages 12 to 17.
Taylor who is undergoing surgery early Friday after being shot in the right calf threw herself over her sons when the shooting began, Williams said.

Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott in a statement said; he has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety director to offer "whatever assistance the City of Dallas needs at this time."

"In times like this we must remember — and emphasize — the importance of uniting as Americans,"

Several other protests took place across the U.S. on Thursday.
Protesters in midtown Manhattan, gathered in Union Square Park where they chanted;

"The people united, never be divided!" and "What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now!"

Also hundreds of protesters in Minnesota, where Castile was shot, marched in the rain from a vigil to the governor's official residence.
There were also protest in Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia.