Police sniper suspect in Dallas identified

One of the suspects who shot a police sniper during a protest in Dallas, USA, on July 7 was identified as Micah X. Johnson.

Dallas police officers gathered outside the emergency room of Baylor University Medical Center today. Photo: AP

Johnson, 25, was a Dallas resident, the LA Times reported, citing two law enforcement officials. He had no criminal history or known connections to terrorist organizations. Johnson had several relatives in Mesquite, Texas.

Authorities had to use a bomb-carrying robot to kill Johnson after he participated in an ambush of police at a protest in downtown Dallas.

The peaceful march was held to protest the US police shooting dead two black men in just two days. Alton Sterling was shot dead by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 5. Philando Castile was shot dead by police in St Paul on July 6 in front of his girlfriend.

"We surrounded a suspect and attempted to negotiate with him for several hours," Dallas Police Chief David Brown said at a press conference this morning. "But the negotiations broke down" and turned into "a shootout with the suspect."

According to Mr Brown, the attacker said he was "angry at white people" and recent police shootings. Johnson also insisted he acted alone and had no connection to any group.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said a total of 12 police officers and two civilians were shot in the ambush in Dallas, in which five police officers were killed.

According to VNE