Here are five things you should know about the deadly shooting in downtown Dallas: Chief David Brown offered new details and corrections to the shooting report; Micah Johnson’s parents love their son, but hate what he did; President George W. Bush will speak at today's memorial; and more.
1. Nine officers were injured in the attack. Previously, seven officers were reported injured, but the total increased to account for two officers from El Centro College. The police killed 25-year-old suspect Micah Johnson with a remote-controlled robot on the second floor of El Centro, not the parking garage, as was reported earlier.
The robot used was a Remotec Andros Mark V-A1
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 11, 2016
Authorities are downloading more than 170 hours of officers' body camera footage and collecting "countless hours" of dashcam video as well as talking to more than 300 witnesses, according to The Associated Press. As part of the ongoing investigation, police have been looking through
Johnson’s home in Mesquite to find evidence elaborating on the suspect’s past and plans.
Listen to the conference via NPR
In the days since the shooting, Brown said the department has been taking all threats seriously for the sake of their families. He pointed to a death threat he received from a private Facebook page to the Dallas Police Department's page that is being investigated. [The Associated Press, KERA News]
2. The parents of Dallas shooter Micah Johnson said they’re surprised by their son’s actions. Johnson’s parents said the 25-year-old was a changed man and a “hermit” after serving in the Army Reserves, The Associated Pressreported. Johnson's father, James Johnson, said in an interview posted on TheBlaze websiteMonday that he "didn't see it coming." Through tears, Johnson said: "I hate what he did." The family said Johnson never showed signs of hatred for certain groups of people, but that he hated "injustice." Police are currently investigating Johnson’s Mesquite home for evidence to piece together his motive. [The Associated Press, TheBlaze]
3. President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush will speak at an interfaith memorial service today for the shooting victims. Obama is set to speak around 12:40 p.m. at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in the Dallas Arts District. During his visit, the president also will meet with the families of the fallen police officers as well as those injured during the attack on Thursday. Former First Lady Laura Bush and Vice President Joe Biden are set to attend as well. The memorial will be live-streamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live. [The Associated Press]
4. Funeral services have been set for several of the officers. Services for Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, 48, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. The service for DART officer and newlywed Brent Thompson, 43, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at The Potter’s House in Dallas. Services for Sgt. Michael Smith will be held at noon Thursday at the Watermark Church in Dallas. Services for Officer Patricio Zamarippa, 32, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Wilkerson-Greies Activity Center in Fort Worth. Read what we know about the five victims and more details on the funeral services. Arrangements for officer Michael Krol are still pending. [KERA News, Dallas Police Department]
5. More than one thousand people gathered for the Dallas Strong Candlelight Vigil Monday night. The public vigil honoring the five slain Dallas police officers took place Dallas City Hall Plaza. Among the speakers were friends of the fallen police officers. The event was hosted by Dallas Police Association. See images from the vigil. [KERA News]
Learn More
For more coverage of the downtown Dallas shooting,visit this page of stories from KERA and NPR.
