This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-33121180

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Gun attack at Dallas police headquarters Gun attack at Dallas police headquarters
(about 1 hour later)
The police headquarters in the US city of Dallas, Texas, has come under attack by an unknown number of gunmen who opened fire on officers. The police headquarters in the US city of Dallas came under attack by at least one gunman who opened fire on officers.
One suspect fled the scene in what was described as an armoured van and is involved in a standoff in a car park. The suspect fled the scene in Texas in what was described as an armoured van, and was involved in a standoff in a car park.
A number of bags were found outside the police HQ, at least one of which contained explosives including pipe bombs, police said on Twitter. Officers shot at the van, and say the suspect is believed to be dead.
Earlier, a number of suspicious packages were found outside the police HQ, including two bags containing explosives that detonated, police said.
The motive for the attack is not clear. No officers have been hurt.The motive for the attack is not clear. No officers have been hurt.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown quoted witnesses as saying that as many as four suspects were involved in the initial shooting at about 00:30 (05:30GMT) on Saturday. However, he said this had not been confirmed. Initially, police quoted witnesses as saying that as many as four suspects were involved in the initial shooting at about 00:30 (05:30GMT) on Saturday.
He said one suspect then fled the scene in the van, ramming a police car. However, Dallas Police Chief David Brown subsequently said he believed only one gunman was involved.
A police chase involving dozens of squad cars ended in a car park in Hutchins, about nine miles (14km) from central Dallas, and officers are negotiating with the occupant of the van, Mr Brown said. He said that following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in the van, ramming a police car.
A police chase involving dozens of squad cars ended in a car park in Hutchins, about nine miles (14km) from central Dallas.
The van, which has been disabled using a police rifle, appeared to have gun ports built into its sides.The van, which has been disabled using a police rifle, appeared to have gun ports built into its sides.
Police said the man had identified himself as James Boulware. Police say the suspect is a white male, but his identity has not been confirmed.
Mr Brown said police could not confirm his identity, but said that officers had attended three incidents of domestic violence involving a man with that name in which he had said he wanted to "blow up" the police because they had taken his child and accused him of being a terrorist. Mr Brown said the suspect had said his name was James Boulware, and police said officers had attended three incidents of domestic violence involving a man with that name in the past.
"The suspect has told our negotiators that we took his child and we accused him of being a terrorist, and that he's going to blow us up. And then cut off negotiations," Mr Brown told a news conference.
At 05:07 local time, police snipers shot through the front windshield of the van, Mr Brown said.
"We have sent a bomb technician robot, that has a camera, to try and confirm whether the suspect is deceased."
He added that police officers were not approaching the vehicle yet, as the suspect had said his van was rigged with explosives.
Suspicious packageSuspicious package
Meanwhile, residents near the police headquarters have been evacuated as a precaution as specialist teams dealt with the explosives. Meanwhile, residents near the police headquarters have been evacuated as a precaution while specialist teams dealt with the explosives.
One of the bags exploded as a robot tried to move it.One of the bags exploded as a robot tried to move it.
Dallas police also said they were investigating a suspicious package under a police truck outside the headquarters, as well as another in a rubbish container. Dallas police said they successfully detonated another device found under a police truck outside the headquarters, while a third package found in a rubbish container had been cleared and was not an explosive.
Joshua Guilbuad, whose apartment is opposite the police headquarters, told the BBC he was woken by the gunshots. Part of the Interstate 45 highway, where the standoff is taking place, has been closed, while nearby rail and bus services have been suspended, AP news agency reports.
"It sounded like approximately 200 gunshots going off across the street. Then we could see cars pulling up." Joshua Guilbuad, who lives near the police headquarters, told the BBC he was woken by the gunshots.
"It sounded like approximately 200 gunshots going off across the street."
He said police told him and his flatmates to evacuate the building and shortly afterwards there was "a huge explosion which shook the glass in the windows".He said police told him and his flatmates to evacuate the building and shortly afterwards there was "a huge explosion which shook the glass in the windows".
"We are now in the basement of the building with no access to food or water," he said.
Are you in Dallas? Have you been affected by the issues in this story?Are you in Dallas? Have you been affected by the issues in this story?
You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukYou can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
You can send us a picture, video or message to our WhatsApp number +44 7525 900971You can send us a picture, video or message to our WhatsApp number +44 7525 900971
Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.