Overnight, five police officers were killed and an additional seven were injured during what started out as a peaceful protest in Dallas, Texas.
As Dallas residents gathered to protest the recent deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, Police say two suspects with snipers shot at officers from an elevated position. One man, who has been identified as 25-year-old Micah Xavier Johnson, was killed after several hours of negotiations with police, who “saw no other option” but to send in a “bomb robot” and detonate it in the early morning hours. According to reports, three additional suspects are in custody.
“We’re hopeful that we have got everybody, but we don’t know that for sure,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings told NBC’s TODAY.
Rawlings said the suspects were “being pretty tight-lipped,” but said, “It’s simple … they wanted to kill police officers. And sadly, they did.”
As the horrific news spread, thousands of people, including several country artists, took to Twitter to react. See what they had to say below.
Waking up to the horrific news of #dallas Praying for everyone, praying for love. We all bleed the same color! We need to join hearts.
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) July 8, 2016
This today too. #pray pic.twitter.com/NCgSMiebNo — Kristian Bush (@kristianbush) July 8, 2016
“It will be a defining time for our country after this.” — @mrBobbyBones
— Bobby Bones Show (@bobbybonesshow) July 8, 2016
It matters not who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love or how you love..it matters only that you love.-John Lennon #Dallas — Lindsay Ell (@lindsayell) July 8, 2016
I know those streets. I know those lights. Dallas, I love you.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) July 8, 2016
Say a prayer for the world tonight yall. — Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) July 8, 2016
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) July 8, 2016
So sad to see all the violence going on all around the country right now:/ #nevertheanswer
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) July 8, 2016
Love each other today.
— Randy Rogers Band (@rrbchoir) July 8, 2016
Fighting back the tears this morning as I catch up on the news… Help us Lord. — Steve Moakler (@stevemoakler) July 8, 2016
Watching this horrific news from Dallas – heartbroken & devastated. Praying for our nation. Only God can help us. #PrayForDallas
— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) July 8, 2016
#PrayForDallas — Danielle Bradbery (@DBradbery) July 8, 2016
The world is changing. It’s scary, sad, and real.. My Heart is enraged and breaking for Dallas.
— Lee Brice (@leebrice) July 8, 2016
This is so horribly sad & heartbreaking. An eye for an eye makes the world blind. Please pray for the victims & their families #Dallas — Jerrod Niemann (@jrodfromoz) July 8, 2016
Eliminating hate with hate? NO. Devaluing life, ANY life, never OK. A uniform doesn’t make you guilty, race doesn’t either. #PrayForDallas
— Maggie Rose (@IAmMaggieRose) July 8, 2016
I’m stunned and saddened by this entire day’s events. Lord this world needs you now more than ever.. — Jordan Rager (@Jordan_Rager) July 8, 2016
Don’t just hashtag #PrayForAmerica #PrayForDallas … Actually spend some time in prayer today…
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) July 8, 2016
This is what we need more of. #Dallas @cnn @FoxNews @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/MWAucJXiAF — John Rich (@johnrich) July 8, 2016
Praying for Dallas and praying for our country. My heart is heavy and honestly have no words for what has happened the last few days. 💔
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) July 8, 2016
Disgusted and saddened over everything happening in the world. My heart goes out to friends and families affected by all of it.
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) July 8, 2016
