President Barack Obama said he was “horrified” by the deadly shootings in Dallas that left at least five police officers dead. Speaking to the press on Thursday, Obama offered federal assistance in the investigation and response to the attack.
“There’s been a vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement,” the president said.
The shootings occurred during what was otherwise a peaceful protest against the fatal shootings of two black men by police in Minnesota and Louisiana earlier this week.
Dallas PD said they have three people in custody. A fourth suspect was killed after a standoff in a parking garage.
A total of 11 officers sustained injuries, making the incident the worst attack on law enforcement since 9/11.
Obama said the motivation of the suspects is not yet known, but said the attack had “no possible justification.” The president also said the U.S. needs to consider the realities that come with the availability of “powerful weapons.”
The fatal shooting in Dallas came shortly after Obama called on the nation to “do better” in addressing racial bias issues in the criminal justice system.
“When people say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ that doesn’t mean blue lives don’t matter; it just means all lives matter,” Obama said. “But right now the big concern is the fact that the data shows black folks are more vulnerable to these kinds of incidents.”
