4 police killed, at least 7 others wounded by snipers in Dallas

Protesters were marching to city hall when shots erupted

DALLAS — Three people are in custody after snipers opened fire on police officers during protests in Dallas and a fourth person is exchanging gunfire with authorities, Police Chief David Brown said early Friday morning.

Authorities are negotiating with a suspect in a downtown parking garage who has been firing at officers, Brown said at a news conference.

The suspect is not cooperating and has told negotiators he intends to hurt more law enforcement officials, the chief said.

Brown said earlier that at least two snipers opened fire on police officers in Dallas on Thursday night, killing four officers and injuring seven others.

The gunfire broke out around 8:45 p.m. while hundreds of people were gathered to protest fatal police shootings this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and suburban St. Paul, Minnesota.

Video footage from the Dallas scene showed that protesters were marching along a street in downtown, about half a mile from City Hall, when the shots erupted and the crowd scattered, seeking cover.

#Demonstration in #Dallas pic.twitter.com/YZXXPAOoBn

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016

Brown said that it appeared the shooters “planned to injure and kill as many officers as they could.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement saying he has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety director to offer “whatever assistance the City of Dallas needs at this time.”

“In times like this we must remember – and emphasize – the importance of uniting as Americans,” Abbott said.

The search for the shooters stretched throughout downtown, an area of hotels, restaurants, businesses and some residential apartments. The scene was chaotic, with helicopters hovering overhead and officers with automatic rifles on the street corners.

“Everyone just started running,” Devante Odom, 21, told The Dallas Morning News. “We lost touch with two of our friends just trying to get out of there.”

Brown said during the news conference that police were not certain that all suspects have been located.

LIVE on #Periscope https://t.co/289YMzxBd9

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016