DALLAS -- The sniper who police say opened fire on a peaceful justice rally through downtown Dallas, targeting police officers and killing five, has been identified.
Fifteen people total were shot. Two were civilians.
DPD has identified the suspect as Micah X. Johnson, 25, of Mesquite, who had at one point been a reservist at the Seagoville Reserve Base. Police say people who knew him described him as a "loner."
The rally was part of a protest of officer-involved shootings taking place across the nation Thursday night. The shots were fired as the march was moving down Lamar Street near Griffin before 9 p.m.
"We've got a criminal investigation going on and our number one job is to make sure the citizens of Dallas are safe," Mayor Rawlings said Friday morning.
Dominique Alexander with Next Generation Action Network, who helped organize the rally, said Friday that the group is devastated and the event was meant to be peaceful.
SUSPECT WANTED TO KILL WHITE OFFICERS
Dallas Police Chief David Brown said Johnson was killed after a long standoff with police. Negotiations were underway when Brown says Johnson told police he was angry over #BlackLivesMatter and was mad at white people.
He wanted to kill white people, especially white officers, Brown said.
He also mentioned "the end was coming" and that he was "going to hurt and kill more" officers. He said bombs were planted all over the garage and downtown.
After negotiations went sour and gunfire was exchanged, Chief Brown says officers had to use a bomb robot to detonate the area around the suspect and kill him.
Police believe Johnson acted alone.
After interviewing more than 200 officers, DPD said at least 12 discharged their weapons during the attack.
FIVE OFFICERS KILLED
The Dallas Police Association announced the fifth officer had died at about 1:45 a.m. One DART officer and four Dallas police officers were killed.
The officers have been taken to Parkland Hospital and Baylor Medical Center.
It is the deadliest event for police officers in the United States since September 11, 2001.
The first DPD officer to be identified is Patrick Zamarripa of Fort Worth. He was a young father and war veteran.
WFAA sister station WXYZ in Detroit confirms the identity of another DPD officer killed, Michael Krol, 40, who had worked for DPD for nine years after moving to Texas from Michigan.
Our sister station KBMT in Beaumont says a family member identified the second DPD officer as Michael Smith, 55.
Sources confirmed later Friday that the fourth DPD officer killed has been identified as Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens.
"Our profession is hurting. Dallas officers are hurting. We are heartbroken," Chief Brown said in a Friday morning press conference.
"Please pray for our strength during this trying time," Chief Brown said.
He also applauded the "brave men and women who do this job under great scrutiny."
One bystander who is not a police officer, Shetamia Taylor, was also shot. She is expected to recover. Details about the other bystander have not been released.
DART OFFICERS IDENTIFIED
Brent Thompson, 43, has been identified by DART as its first officer killed in the line of duty. He had worked for DART since 2009.
DART says the three other officers injured are expected to recover. They have been identified as Officer Omar Cannon, 44, Officer Misty McBride, 39, and Officer Jesus Retana, 32.
Retana was released from the hospital as of Friday evening.
Family says this is DART Ofc. Misty McBride, shot in shoulder tonight but survived and doing ok. @wfaachannel8 pic.twitter.com/xCVsrIf31l
— Bradley Blackburn (@BLBlackburn) July 8, 2016
"As you can imagine, our hearts are broken. This is something that touches every part of our organization. We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening. We are grateful for every message," Lyons said in a statement.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help Officer Thompson's family.
DART said trains are running downtown, but not through the West End station.
RUMORS OF MORE SUSPECTS
Police have since reported they believe Micah X. Johnson acted alone, but that wasn't always the case.
Brandon Waller, 25, was arrested for unrelated weapons charges at the scene.
Mayor Rawlings said Friday morning that a second suspect, a female, was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. after being involved in a shootout with Dallas police. There is no word yet on whether she is still in custody or how she was related to the ambush.
TWO ARRESTED AFTER FALSE LEAD
Meanwhile an officer saw a man wearing camouflage and carrying a bag when he got into a Mercedes and sped off. He went up Interstate 35 before he was pulled over and surrounded by police.
Police questioned both occupants of the vehicle before releasing them. The driver told News 8's Demond Fernandez he was just picking up his brother from the bus station and the bag was his brother's luggage.
Earlier Thursday, Dallas police circulated a photo of what Chief Brown called a "person of interest" in the crime. They say that man, Mark Hughes, has since turned himself in and been released. Hughes and his attorney may speak about the situation later on Friday or in the coming days.
WITNESS ACCOUNTS
Some of the shooting was captured live on Facebook, as you can see below or at this link (WARNING: Graphic content).
An officer at the scene told News 8's Marie Saavedra the shooter had a rifle. She described several volleys of quick bursts of gunfire.
Another bystander, Richard Adams, said the protest was "a lovely, peaceful march," until they were walking down Commerce Street near the Bank of America building parking garage when he heard what sounded like "a bunch of firecrackers going off."
ROADS CLOSED AND CLASSES CANCELED
El Centro College announced classes would be canceled Friday, and several buildings and roads were closed in the area.
Portions will still be closed to the public through Wednesday, police said.
PRAYER SERVICES HELD FRIDAY
Hundreds gathered in Dallas, Fort Worth and other North Texas communities Friday to hold prayer vigils for those affected by the attack.
Meanwhile a fund to assist the families of the killed officers has been set up. Go here to donate.
Copyright 2016 WFAA
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