Police: Dallas Shooting Suspect Micah Johnson “Wanted To Kill White People”
July 8, 2016 8:07 AM
DALLAS (CBSDFW/1080 KRLD) – In the aftermath of the Thursday night ambush in downtown Dallas that left 5 police officers dead and several more wounded, very little is known about the shooting suspects.
According to Dallas officials, one male suspect is dead and three more, two men and one woman are in custody.
Two men were stopped on I-35 after fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed following the shooting. A woman who was near the parking garage where the shooting took place has also been detained.
At a Friday morning press conference, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings began by saying that due to the ongoing investigation, “We’re not going to tell you anything about the suspects. We will when it’s the right time, now is not the right time.”
However, Dallas Police Chief David Brown confirmed the death of one gunman, later identified by CBS News as of 25-year old Micah Xavier Johnson of Mesquite, the suspect that police cornered in a parking garage at El Centro College in the downtown area immediately following the shooting.
Dallas shooting suspect 25-year old Micha X Johnson of Mesquite, Texas (Image via CBS News)
According to Brown, police cornered Micah Johnson and negotiated with him for several hours. When talks broke down – they exchanged gunfire with the man. At that point, police sent in a remote vehicle and detonated a bomb – ultimately killing him.
“We saw no other option but to use our bomb robot and place a device on its extension for it to detonate where the suspect was. Other options would have exposed our officers to great danger” said Brown.
“He seemed lucid during negotiations.” said Chief Brown “He expressed anger for Black Lives Matter.”
Brown admitted that Johnson told police that he was upset over the recent string of police shooting.
“The suspect said he was upset at white people” said Brown. “He said he wanted to kill white people, especially white police officers.”
The suspect also reportedly said that authorities would “eventually find the IEDs.” That led to an extensive sweep of the Dallas area, which turned up no explosives.
Johnson claimed to be a U.S. Army veteran. He also stated he was not affiliated with any groups and stated that he did this alone.
In Mesquite, police have blocked off the street where accused gunman Micah Johnson lived as several law enforcement agencies search the home for evidence.
Law enforcement officials search the Mesquite home of suspect Micah Johnson. (CBSDFW.COM)
*This is a developing story. Follow CBSDFW.com, CBS 11 News, 1080 KRLD for the latest updates.
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