Shocking moment hero cop is shot dead after his bullet bounced off armoured gunman
HORRIFYING footage shows the moment a US police officer was gunned down at point-blank range in an execution-style shooting as gunmen targeted the force at a Texas rally.
Five US police officers are confirmed dead and seven are injured after shooters opened fire at the protest which was being held in Dallas over the deaths of two black men.
The gunman had earlier warned: "Somebody's fixing to get killed tonight -- an officer. "
He then put on his bulletproof vest before gauging in a fire-fight with the brave DART officer - and shooting him dead at point-blank range.
In the video, filmed from a balcony opposite, one cop can be seen bravely taking on the gunmen who is hiding behind a pillar.
Despite being shot in the back, the shooter turns, running towards him firing shots.
The officer desperately tries to hit back, but his shooter dodges death as the bullets bounce off his armoured vest.
He then turns to deliver a series of blows as the cop is seen collapsing by a pillar.
The attacker gunman then carries on his spree of terror.
Two men and one woman have been detained by police, while one shooter who was in a standoff with police has reportedly shot himself dead.
He was held up inside a parking garage threatening to set off bombs which he claims are "all over the place".
He told officers: "The end is coming".
This morning a radical black power group has claimed responsibility for the murderous sniper attack.
The Black Power Political Organization threatened to carry out even more attacks in a chilling Facebook post uploaded this morning.
It read: “#BlackPower! #BlackKnights! Sniper Assassins Take Down Five Police Officers! And More Will Be Assassinated In The Coming Days! Do You Like The Work Of Our Assassins? Get Your Own Sniper Rifle And Join Our Thousands Of Sniper Assassins Worldwide In The Fight Against Oppression!”
Two of the police officers killed in the horrifying shootings been pictured for the first time.
DART officer Brent Thompson, 43, was one of 11 from Dallas Police force shot down by two snipers and two gunmen at the Texas rally.
He is the first officer to be killed in the line of duty since DART formed a police department in 1989.
His colleague Patrick Zamarripa was also gunned down while working at the rally.
Confirming the devastating news, his father Rick Zamarripa said: “Most of you already know this by now today in Dallas , my son is a police officer in Dallas he was working there the rally in downtown where my son was shot and killed by a sniper along with four other police officers maybe more at this moment.
“I’m still at the hospital here in Parkland Hospital to see him be moved to the medical examiner’s office – need prayers to get through this.”
His stepbrother delivered an emotional tribute on social media this morning.
Dylan Martinez shared a picture of the officer with his dad. It was captioned: “No father should have to bury his son. You are a hero, Patrick. Love you man. #PrayForDallas”.
Morgan Lyons, a spokesman for DART, said: "As you can imagine, our hearts are broken.
"This is something that touches every part of our organisation."
One of the 11 injured police officers has been named as Misty McBride who was shot in the arm and once in the stomach.
Her young daughter Hunter McBride has told of her relief that her mum is alive.
She told reporters outside Baylor Medical Center she had already spoken to her mum and told her she loved her.
She added: “I’m just glad she’s alive, really.”
Mum-of-four Shetamia Taylor, is a member of the public who was shot in the calf as she tried to save her children.
It has been reported she hid her 15-year-old son under a car in a desperate attempt to save his life.
The other officers who were shot dead or injured are yet to be identified.
"I just saw cops bending over.
"There had to have been five or six cops, they were all just getting shot down.
"It was just after the rally, we were just walking back to the car then I heard the shots.
"We were running - they just kept shooting."
At the time of the stand-off Dallas Police Chief David Brown said: "The suspect that we are negotiating with has told our negotiators that the end is coming and he is going to hurt and kill more of us, meaning law enforcement, and that there are bombs all over the place in this garage and in downtown."
Terrified protesters desperately ran for their lives as police officers were gunned down by snipers as they shot into the crowd at the rally in Dallas.
The protests were sparked the deaths of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana at the hands of police this week.
Mark Hughes was pictured wandering around the rally with what appeared to be an assault rifle, though he is not thought to be one of the attackers.
He had been named as a suspect by Dallas Police but has been released without charge after handing himself in.
Mark Hughes told reporters: “I could have been shot.”
Mike Rawlings, mayor of the Texas city, told a news conference: “Our worst nightmare has happened.
“It is a heartbreaking moment for the city of Dallas.”
The shooters are reported to have carried out the murderous stack from an "elevated position".
Dallas police chief described an "ambush" style attack aimed at attacking as many officers as possible.
He said: "We believe that these suspects were positioning themselves in a way to triangulate on these officers from two different perches... and planned to injure and kill as many law enforcement officers as they could."
Speaking from Poland at a NATO summit, President Obama said called the shootings a "tremendous tragedy".
He said: "We still don't know all the facts but what we do know is that there has been a viscous, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement.
";They were doing their jobs, keeping people safe.
"Today is a wrenching reminder of the sacrificed they make for us.
"We are horrified over these events
"We stand united with the people and police department in Dallas
"Anyone involved in these senseless murders will be held accountable and justice will be done."
"Our focus should be on the victims and families - they are heartbroken
"The entire city of Dallas is grieving
"Say a prayer for the families, keep them in your thoughts."
President Barack Obama spoke before the shootings to plea for calm following the deaths of Sterling and Castile.
He said: "There is a big chunk of our fellow citizenry that feels as if because of the colour of their skin they are not being treated the same - and that hurts.
"That should trouble all of us.
"This is not just a black issue - or Hispanic- this is an American issue that we should all care about. All fair-minded people should be concerned.
"Let me just say we have extra app and respect for the vast majo of police officers who put their lives on the line to protect us everyday. It is dangerous job. It is a tough job."