Five Dallas police officers have been shot dead by snipers during protests against the shooting of black men by police, authorities in the US city say.
The police department announced the death of a 5th police officer on their Twitter:
It has been a devastating night. We are sad to report a fifth officer has died.
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
Dallas police were locked in a standoff early Friday after snipers shot 11 officers, five fatally, during a demonstration over recent police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana.
The shooting occurred after the demonstration ended and as a march was taking place.
At least two snipers fired from an elevated positions on police officers minutes before 9 p.m. CT, according to Dallas Police Chief David Brown. He described the shootings as “ambush style.”
Four of the five slain officers were Dallas police, and the fifth was a Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer. A civilian was also wounded, authorities said.
According to the Dalla Mayor Mike Rawlings, around 800 people were at the Friday’s demonstrations, 100 police officers were assigned to the event and the surrounding area.
The demonstration was in reaction to the police shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge Tuesday and Philando Castile Wednesday in a St. Paul suburb.
Dallas Police Department says it has arrested two men after one was seen near the incident throwing a camouflage bag into a car and driving off.
