Dallas cops ‘ambushed’ by snipers during protests

At least two snipers opened fire on police officers in Dallas on Thursday night, killing four officers and injuring seven others during protests over two recent fatal police shootings of black men, police said.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown told reporters the snipers fired "ambush style" upon the officers. Mayor Mike Rawlings said one member of the public was wounded in the gunfire. Police later said in a statement that a suspect was is in custody and a "person of interest" had surrendered. They said a suspicious package was being secured by a bomb squad.

Dallas Police respond after shots were fired. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

The gunfire broke out around 8:45 pm (CDT), Thursday while hundreds of people were gathered to protest fatal police shootings this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and suburban St. Paul, Minnesota.

The protests in Dallas were among several across the country that were held after a Minnesota officer on Wednesday fatally shot Philando Castile while he was in a car with a woman and a child in a St. Paul suburb. The aftermath of the shooting was livestreamed in a widely shared Facebook video. A day earlier, Alton Sterling was shot in Louisiana after being pinned to the pavement by two white officers. That, too, was captured on a cellphone video. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Police said one suspect they had engaged in a shootout had been arrested, and a bomb squad unit was investigating a suspicious package found near the suspect’s location. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Dallas Police Chief David Brown also said the department would continue to search downtown throughout the night and into the morning until they are sure all suspects have been captured and they have determined there are no bombs. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Meanwhile, a massive police presence surrounded a vehicle and are questioning two individuals they took into custody on Interstate 35 at Ann Arbor Avenue in Dallas.

According to Dallas police, that situation began when a Dallas police officer saw an individual carrying a camouflage bag walking quickly down Lamar Street. The individual threw the bag into black Mercedes, when then sped off at a high rate of speed. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

The situation in Dallas continues to be active, for now. Police have asked everyone to get to safety and avoid downtown Dallas. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Dallas police order people away from the area after several police were shot in downtown Dallas.

The Dallas PD have 3 suspects in custody at the moment and an investigation into the shootings are underway. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings called the shooting Dallas' "worst nightmare," Thursday night, and asked that all residents "come together and support our police officers." (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Video footage from the scene showed that protesters were marching along a street in downtown, about half a mile from City Hall, when the shots erupted and the crowd scattered, seeking cover. (Source: The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement saying he has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety director to offer "whatever assistance the City of Dallas needs at this time."

"In times like this we must remember — and emphasize — the importance of uniting as Americans," Abbott said. (AP Photo)

The search for the shooters stretched throughout downtown, an area of hotels, restaurants, businesses and some residential apartments. The scene was chaotic, with helicopters hovering overhead and officers with automatic rifles on the street corners.

The other protests across US were peaceful. (AP Photo)