DALLAS — At least five police officers were killed, and at least seven others shot Thursday night by two snipers in downtown Dallas near the end of a protest of officer-involved shootings in other cities, Dallas police Chief David Brown said. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings described the shooting “as our worst nightmare.
(Editor’s Note: The fifth police officer died after the story below as posted).
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh C. Johnson issued the following statement:
Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson delivered the following remarks on last night’s shooting in Dallas:
“Last night in Dallas a group peaceably assembled to demonstrate and express their grievances. This is something they had a right to do, in accord with our American tradition of peaceful demonstration in pursuit of change.
The evening was shattered by a despicable act of murder directed at those present to keep the peace. At this time, there appears to have been one gunman with no known links to or inspiration from any international terrorist organization. One Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer has been killed, four Dallas Police officers have been killed, and other law enforcement officers have been wounded. Several civilians were also wounded. We mourn the loss of those killed, and pray for the wounded.
Many people, from multiple communities, are angry and on edge.
Today I come to One Police Plaza to stand with law enforcement, to say this:
Last night’s killer acted with a depraved misbelief that the murder of police officers solves a problem. Just like last night’s killer does not represent all those who seek to bring about change, any police officer who engages in excessive force does not represent all those in law enforcement; far from it.
The role of the police officer is to protect and to serve; to keep the peace and serve the community. This is the reason the overwhelming, overwhelming majority of our Nation’s law enforcement officers put on a badge, and it is what they do every day in your community and mine. Indeed, in the face of last night’s attack targeting the police, their first reaction was to protect the public.
Violence is never the answer. Violence directed at our police officers is never the answer. Violence directed at police officers endangers them, and it endangers the very public they are sworn to protect.
Now more than ever the police and the communities they serve must come together, heal the wounds, and bridge any differences. Dallas, in particular, has been a model in that regard. Today the families of those killed should know we stand with them, grieve with them, and will do our best to support them in the days ahead.
Thank you.”
Bend the Arc issued the following statement:
Bend the Arc CEO Stosh Cotler issued the following statement today in the wake of the fatal shootings of five police officers in Dallas, TX:
“Our hearts break for the law enforcement officers killed and wounded in the attack in Dallas on Thursday night. Bend the Arc condemns such violence under any circumstance, no matter who the perpetrator or who the target. Tragically, this horrific incident followed a peaceful protest and has the potential to generate further division in our country.”
“As we continue to mourn the lives lost, we urge a fair and thoughtful response that encourages peace and unity. We strongly discourage any backlash that would only serve to further endanger Black lives, and stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and all others peacefully advocating for dignity and justice.”
The Libertarian party issued this statement:
Libertarian National Committee Chair Nicholas Sarwark issued this statement today in relation to the recent shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas:
“The killing needs to stop. All of it. None of these shootings were justified – not the shootings by the police, not the shootings of the police. The Libertarian Party denounces all killing. No American should feel they’ve invited violence upon themselves because of their skin color, the uniform they wear in service to their communities, or their decision to exercise their Second Amendment rights. None of these factors should make you a target for murder in this country.”
“The frustration in the black community is palpable, and frankly, justified. When rogue cop after rogue cop gets off scot-free after using excessive force and changes are not made, and consequences are not felt, it causes this horrible tension we are feeling today. However, the vast majority of the black community have been exercising their right to protest peacefully and admirably. It is despicable that a couple of bad actors put a cloud over all that and increased tension for everyone. The shooters in Dallas will see justice, but will the blue wall of silence ever be broken? Will cops ever start to do a better job of policing themselves?”
“The Libertarian Party calls for peace and justice. Those two things go hand in hand.”
U.S. Rep Scott Peters (D-San Diego) issued the following statement:
Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement on the brutal murder of five police officers in Dallas, Texas and the tragic deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile:
“The vicious and deliberate attack on public safety officers in Dallas last night was unconscionable. That it occurred while men, women and children were engaged in a righteous and peaceful protest against the senseless killing of two men this week made it even more horrible. I am so sad for the families of these officers and for the people of Dallas, just as I am for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, whose deaths were equally tragic.
“As tragic and wrong as the deaths of Sterling and Castile were, violence against law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day cannot be tolerated and is never justified.
“I will work to pass laws that will help protect our citizens and our first responders. But I’m aware that our divisions will not be healed by laws alone, but by love for one another. Our national conversation is not just legal – it’s moral.
“I support all my friends in law enforcement today, and I send sincere condolences to the families of all those whose lives were lost senselessly over the past few days.”
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs issued this comment:
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is alarmed by the recent shootings and mourns the loss of life of Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile, two African-American men, and the five police officers in Dallas who were killed this week. We call for calm, deep reflection and a serious commitment to political reform and social change to make the American commitment to equal treatment under the law a reality.
As population dynamic shifts and our nation becomes increasingly diverse we must make every effort to end violence, prejudice and fear. “Far too many African-Americans, particularly young men, have fallen victim to police violence leaving an indelible mark on communities and families. We urge police departs to embrace community policing practices and to transform the often adversarial relationship between local police forces and the communities they serve,” stated David Bernstein, President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. “The spate of horrific police shootings shows that many police departments must undergo serious culture change, and see themselves as not only enforcers of the law but members of the community as well. We have a long way to go as a country.”
Even as we mourn the loss of life this week, we condemn in no uncertain terms the murder of, at last count, five police officers in Dallas. President Obama stated, “I speak for every single American when I say that we are horrified over these events, and that we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas…Let’s be clear: There is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks or any violence against law enforcement.”
“We urge communities around the country to heal the trauma caused by misunderstandings and prejudice and build trusting relationships between communities and their police forces,” said Cheryl Fishbein JCPA Chair.
The Anti-Defamation League issued this statement:
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemned the murders of Dallas law enforcement officers during an otherwise peaceful protest last night against the shooting deaths of two African-American men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota.
In an apparently well-planned and coordinated attack, which President Barack Obama described as “vicious, calculated and despicable,” five officers were killed and seven were injured, along with two civilians. It appeared to be the deadliest attack against law enforcement officers since terror attacks of 9/11.
“We condemn this horrific attack against Dallas law enforcement officers in strongest terms. We have reached out to the Dallas Police Department to convey our condolences and offer support,” said Roberta Clark, ADL Dallas Regional Director. “At this early point in the investigation, the motive for this odious attack is unknown and it would be irresponsible to jump to conclusions or cast blame. We must let the investigation run its course.”
“In the aftermath of this attack on law enforcement and the recent police shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana, we appeal to the public to remain calm during this challenging and difficult time,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Violence should never beget violence. Solutions will be found only when we work together peacefully and engage in constructive dialogue.”
ADL extended its deepest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen and injured.