A suspect in the Dallas police shootings, who was killed after a stand-off with the police, told negotiators that he was upset about the recent police shootings of two black men and that “he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers,” authorities said.
Dallas Police chief David O. Brown offered details about the unnamed suspect’s comments at a press conference Friday morning, following the shootings that left five officers dead: “He said he was upset about the recent police shootings. The suspect said he was upset at white people the suspect said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers.”
The suspect told a negotiator during the stand-off that he was working alone, was not affiliated with any group, and that “we would eventually find the IEDs,” Brown said.
Brown also clarified that the suspect did not commit suicide, but was killed by the police. “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. “The suspect is deceased as a result of detonating the bomb.”
The suspect “wanted to kill officers” and “expressed anger for Black Lives Matter,” said Brown. “None of that makes sense.”
An ambush by snipers during a protest march in downtown Dallas killed five police officers and wounded at least seven others on Thursday night. The suspects’ identities have not been released.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said no information will be released now about the other three suspects, who are alive and in custody.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com