The man suspected of yesterday’s mass-shooting in the U.S. city of Dallas, that killed five police officers and injured nine other people, including two civilians, has been identified as a 25-year-old army veteran.
Police believe that Micah Xavier Johnson, who served in Afghanistan between 2013 and 2014, and received awards including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, was the sniper behind the shootings.
The attack occurred at a Black Lives Matter protest in the city, in the wake of high-profile police shootings of two African American men, Alton Sterling and Fernando Castile, in the days prior.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown said that Johnson’s motive was to “kill white people, especially white officers.” Although three other people were taken into custody in relation to the shootings, it is now believed he acted alone.
Johnson was killed by a remote-controlled bomb robot, with Dallas police saying they saw “no other option” than to deploy it, as any other operation would have exposed officers to “great danger.”
A search of Johnson’s home, in the nearby suburb of Mesquite, turned up “bomb making materials, ballistic vests, rifles, ammunition, and a personal journal of combat tactics.”
So far, the names of three of the officers killed in the shooting have been released – Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa and Michael Krol.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch has called for calm, saying:
“This has been a week of profound grief and heartbreaking loss. To all Americans, I ask you, I implore you, do not let this week precipitate a new normal in this country. Let us support one another. Let us help heal one another.”
Source: News Corp.
Photo: Supplied.
