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Gun attack at Dallas police headquarters Gun attack at Dallas police headquarters
(35 minutes later)
The police headquarters in the US city of Dallas came under attack by at least one gunman who opened fire on officers. A gunman has opened fire on the police headquarters in the US city of Dallas, before fleeing the scene in what appeared to be an armoured vehicle.
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 police chase led to a tense standoff in a car park for several hours, until police shot at the suspect through the front windshield of the van.
Officers shot at the van, and say the suspect is believed to be dead. Police believe the suspect is dead, but are approaching the van with caution as it may be loaded with explosives.
Earlier, a number of suspicious packages were found outside the police HQ, including two bags containing explosives that detonated, police said. Earlier, at least two bombs detonated outside the Dallas police HQ in Texas.
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.
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.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.
However, Dallas Police Chief David Brown subsequently said he believed only one gunman was involved.However, Dallas Police Chief David Brown subsequently said he believed only one gunman was involved.
He said that following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in the van, ramming a police car.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.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.
Attack timeline
Police say the suspect is a white male, but his identity has not been confirmed.Police say the suspect is a white male, but his identity has not been confirmed.
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.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."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.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.""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.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 while 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 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.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.
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. Maj Max Geron from Dallas police said one officer searching for explosives had almost tripped over one of the bags that exploded.
"Some officers say we are very lucky. I believe we are blessed that our officers survived this ordeal," Mr Brown said.
Part of the Interstate 45 highway, where the standoff took place, has been closed, while nearby rail and bus services have been suspended, AP news agency reports.
Joshua Guilbuad, who lives near the police headquarters, told the BBC he was woken by the gunshots.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.""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".
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?
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