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08th Jul 2016

Five police officers shot dead by snipers during protest over police shootings in Dallas

Conor Heneghan

One suspect was arrested late on Thursday night, while a second man has turned himself in.

Five police officers have been killed and a further six people wounded in Dallas after shots were fired by snipers during a protest over the fatal shootings of two men by US police this week.

Hundreds of people had shown up in the downtown area of Dallas in protest at the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police in Louisiana and Minnesota respectively this week.

The protest had been proceeding peacefully until approximately 9pm local time, when shots were fired in the direction of ten police officers by two snipers located in elevated positions.

Five police officers lost their lives as a result and one civilian was amongst a number of people wounded during the shooting.

One suspect was arrested following a shootout with police and the bomb squad are investigating a suspect package that was found nearby.

Officers are also questioning the occupants of a black Mercedes that was seen speeding away from the scene.

UPDATE: Dallas Police have confirmed that a fifth police officer has died as a result of the shootings.

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USA,World News